Mathurin Dazzles with 38 Points in Home Debut as Clippers Prevail 115-114 Over Nuggets

Key Takeaways:

• Bennedict Mathurin tallied 38 points in his home debut for the Clippers in Thursday night’s narrow 115-114 victory against the Nuggets
• Jamal Murray missed a potential game-tying free throw with 0.9 seconds remaining as Denver fell just short
• Kawhi Leonard extended his 20-plus points streak to 34 consecutive games, contributing 23 on the night

Match Analysis

Bennedict Mathurin announced himself to Clippers fans in emphatic fashion on Thursday night, producing a remarkable 38-point display on his home debut as Los Angeles edged past the Denver Nuggets 115-114. The contest, held in Inglewood, saw both sides return from the All-Star break with intensity and high stakes, culminating in a dramatic finish.

With less than a second left on the clock, Denver’s Jamal Murray had the opportunity to bring the scores level at the free-throw line following a foul committed by Derrick Jones Jr. Murray converted his first two attempts but missed the third, with time expiring on the ensuing rebound and sealing the win for Los Angeles.

CLIPPERS WIN‼️ pic.twitter.com/6uR60rH91k

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) February 20, 2026

Star Performer: Mathurin

Recently acquired from Indiana at the trade deadline, Mathurin hit 12 of his 22 shots from the field, seizing the spotlight in his first home outing for the Clippers. His effort was supported by Kawhi Leonard, who recorded 23 points while maintaining his run of scoring at least 20 points in 34 straight games. Derrick Jones Jr. added 22 points, underlining the depth in scoring options for Los Angeles. The win boosted the Clippers’ record to 21-7 since 20 December.

Denver’s Response and Key Incidents

For the Nuggets, three-time MVP Nikola Jokic delivered a strong performance with 22 points and 17 rebounds. Jamal Murray finished with 20 points, Bruce Brown contributed 19, and both Cam Johnson and Julian Strawther supplied 18 apiece. Denver’s efforts were hampered by the continued absence of Aaron Gordon, out for a tenth consecutive game due to a hamstring injury, while Peyton Watson sat out his fourth in a row for the same reason.

The match featured a heated altercation with 10:27 remaining when Clippers trio Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Kris Dunn, and Mathurin clashed with Denver’s Jonas Valanciunas underneath the basket. Technical fouls were assessed to Dunn, Mathurin, and Valanciunas, allowing the Nuggets to draw level at 83-83 via a single technical free throw.

Key Moments and Final Minutes

As the clock wound down, Jokic pulled the Nuggets even at 107-107 with 46 seconds left, but it was Mathurin’s composure at the charity line that sent the Clippers ahead 115-112 with nine seconds to play. Though Denver closed the gap to a single point, they could not capitalise in the dying moments.

Upcoming Fixtures

• Nuggets: Scheduled to visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night
• Clippers: Set to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night