The Clippers are suffocating Nikola Jokic’s paint. Is it a sustainable strategy for the Nuggets to keep relying on role players like Russell Westbrook to score? Do they have a choice?

Nikola Jokic has high remarks on Russell Westbrook’s confidence level, especially after the Denver Nuggets’ 112-110 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 1 of the West First Round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on Saturday afternoon.

The difference for the Nuggets? Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray's supporting cast. The trio of Russell Westbrook, Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun were big in helping the squad close out the game. Nuggets interim head coach David Adelman addressed such after the game, too.