The Denver Nuggets will look to tie the series on Saturday in Game 4 against the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Nuggets suffered a tough loss to the Clippers in Game 3 and are now down 2-1 in the first-round series. It’s not a stretch to call Game 4 a must-win for Denver. While that is the case, the Nuggets will be without their guard Russell Westbrook.
The one-time MVP is ruled out due to a foot injury. ESPN’s Shams Charania shared via X.
Denver’s Russell Westbrook (foot) is out in Game 4 today against the Los Angeles Clippers, sources tell ESPN.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 26, 2025
Westbrook will miss his first game of the series.
As for the Nuggets’ starting forward, Michael Porter Jr. remains a game-time decision.
Status alert: Michael Porter Jr., Russell Westbrook are game-time decisions Saturday.
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) April 26, 2025
Westbrook left Game 3 against the Clippers early due to a left foot inflammation midway through the second quarter. The star guard turned his foot while warming up before the game and attempted to play, but the pain appeared to be too much for him.
He finished the game with three points, one rebound, and one assist in nine minutes of action.
Westbrook’s absence certainly hurt the team as they were never able to find their groove after a tough ending to the first quarter. Things started to spiral for the Nuggets quickly, which led to Game 3 being a non-competitive game.
The Clippers were in complete control of the game as they held the Nuggets to 23 points or fewer for the final three quarters, as they came out with the win, 117-83. It was an unimpressive performance by the Nuggets, and now their backs are against the wall against a really tough Clippers team on the road.
Porter injured his left, non-shooting shoulder while diving for a loose ball late in Denver’s Game 2 loss on Monday. According to sources, he sustained a Grade 2 sprain to a joint in his shoulder.
Ahead of Game 4, Porter addressed the injury and didn’t sugarcoat the reality of his situation.
“They say it’s normally a four-, five-week injury,” Porter Jr. said. “I mean, you use your shoulder for everything. It was tough to rebound. Tough to bring it up to shoot. It was probably like 20-30 percent. I couldn’t really use it.”
“If I can, I will,” he said. “If it’s still in the place like it is today and I don’t feel like I can even bring any help to the team at all, then there’s no point in trying to go out there.”
The Nuggets are massive underdogs in this match with a -6.5 spread.
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