Game ID: 22500801
Denver Nuggets @ LA Clippers
Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 10:30 PM ET
Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
LAC 25 20 33 37 115DEN 24 28 25 37 114
DEN @ LAC ScoutingDEN @ LAC Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
LAC availability going into 2/06 · 1 day's restBACK Jones Jr. back 2/04 after 15, 21 min since (79% of 27)
BACK Bogdanović back 2/04 after 19, 12 min since (60% of 20)
NEW Sanders 20 to 26 min over the last 5
LAC availability going into 2/08 · 1 day's restBACK Jones Jr. back 2/04 after 15, 24 min since (91% of 27)
BACK Bogdanović back 2/04 after 19, 12 min since (60% of 20)
NEW Sanders 20 to 25 min over the last 5
LAC availability going into 2/10 · 1 day's restOUT Bogdanović missed 2 since 2/06, out tonight
BACK Jones Jr. back 2/04 after 15, 26 min since (95% of 27)
NEW Sanders 20 to 25 min over the last 5
LAC availability going into 2/11 · back-to-backOUT Bogdanović missed 3 since 2/06, out tonight
BACK Jones Jr. back 2/04 after 15, 26 min since (96% of 27)
NEW Lopez 22 to 27 min over the last 5
LAC availability going into 2/19 · 7 days' restOUT Bogdanović missed 4 since 2/06, out tonight
OUT Batum missed 2 since 2/10, returns tonight: 18 min (101% of 18)
BACK Jones Jr. back 2/04 after 15, 27 min since (99% of 27)
NEW Lopez 22 to 30 min over the last 5
LAC availability going into 2/20 · back-to-backOUT Bogdanović missed 5 since 2/06, out tonight
BACK Batum back 2/19 after 2, 18 min since (101% of 18)
NEW Collins 27 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Lopez 22 to 32 min over the last 5
LAC availability going into 2/22 · 1 day's restOUT Sanders missed 2 since 2/19, returns tonight: 26 min (133% of 20)
OUT Bogdanović missed 6 since 2/06, out tonight
BACK Batum back 2/19 after 2, 16 min since (94% of 18)
NEW Lopez 22 to 32 min over the last 5
LAC availability going into 2/26 · 3 days' restOUT Bogdanović missed 7 since 2/06, returns tonight: 17 min (87% of 20)
OUT Jackson missed 2 since 2/20, out tonight
BACK Sanders back 2/22 after 2, 26 min since (133% of 20)
BACK Batum back 2/19 after 2, 15 min since (87% of 18)
NEW Dunn 27 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Jones Jr. 27 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Lopez 22 to 31 min over the last 5
LAC availability going into 3/01 · 2 days' restOUT Collins missed 2 since 2/22, returns tonight: 25 min (91% of 27)
OUT Jackson missed 3 since 2/20, returns tonight: 4 min (27% of 16)
BACK Sanders back 2/22 after 2, 23 min since (115% of 20)
BACK Bogdanović back 2/26 after 7, 17 min since (87% of 20)
BACK Batum back 2/19 after 2, 18 min since (103% of 18)
NEW Dunn 27 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Jones Jr. 27 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Lopez 22 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Niederhäuser 10 to 16 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 2/04 · back-to-backOUT Johnson missed 22 since 12/25, out tonight
OUT Gordon missed 5 since 1/27, out tonight
BACK Jokić back 1/30 after 16, 29 min since (82% of 35)
BACK Braun back 2/03 after 12, 26 min since (81% of 32)
NEW Watson 30 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Jones 22 to 28 min over the last 4
NEW Valančiūnas 13 to 22 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 2/07 · 2 days' restOUT Johnson missed 23 since 12/25, returns tonight: 27 min (89% of 31)
OUT Gordon missed 6 since 1/27, out tonight
BACK Jokić back 1/30 after 16, 33 min since (93% of 35)
BACK Braun back 2/03 after 12, 35 min since (109% of 32)
NEW Watson 30 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Strawther 15 to 20 min over the last 5
NEW Valančiūnas 13 to 19 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 2/09 · 1 day's restOUT Gordon missed 7 since 1/27, out tonight
BACK Jokić back 1/30 after 16, 33 min since (94% of 35)
BACK Braun back 2/03 after 12, 34 min since (106% of 32)
BACK Johnson back 2/07 after 23, 27 min since (89% of 31)
NEW Watson 30 to 36 min over the last 4
NEW Strawther 15 to 23 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 2/11 · 1 day's restOUT Watson missed 2 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Gordon missed 8 since 1/27, out tonight
OUT Jones missed 2 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Braun back 2/03 after 12, 33 min since (105% of 32)
BACK Johnson back 2/07 after 23, 28 min since (92% of 31)
NEW Strawther 15 to 25 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 2/19 · 7 days' restOUT Watson missed 3 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Gordon missed 9 since 1/27, out tonight
OUT Jones missed 3 since 2/07, returns tonight: 16 min (74% of 22)
OUT Nnaji missed 2 since 2/09, out tonight
BACK Braun back 2/03 after 12, 34 min since (108% of 32)
BACK Johnson back 2/07 after 23, 28 min since (93% of 31)
NEW Brown 24 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Strawther 15 to 26 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 2/20 · back-to-backOUT Watson missed 4 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Gordon missed 10 since 1/27, out tonight
OUT Nnaji missed 3 since 2/09, returns tonight: 8 min (70% of 12)
BACK Johnson back 2/07 after 23, 30 min since (99% of 31)
BACK Jones back 2/19 after 3, 16 min since (74% of 22)
NEW Brown 24 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Strawther 15 to 26 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 2/22 · 1 day's restOUT Watson missed 5 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Gordon missed 11 since 1/27, out tonight
OUT Pickett missed 2 since 2/19, out tonight
BACK Johnson back 2/07 after 23, 29 min since (96% of 31)
BACK Jones back 2/19 after 3, 23 min since (104% of 22)
BACK Nnaji back 2/20 after 3, 8 min since (70% of 12)
NEW Strawther 15 to 28 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 2/25 · 2 days' restOUT Watson missed 6 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Gordon missed 12 since 1/27, out tonight
OUT Pickett missed 3 since 2/19, out tonight
BACK Jones back 2/19 after 3, 20 min since (88% of 22)
BACK Nnaji back 2/20 after 3, 8 min since (70% of 12)
NEW Strawther 15 to 25 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 2/27 · 1 day's restOUT Watson missed 7 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Gordon missed 13 since 1/27, out tonight
OUT Pickett missed 4 since 2/19, out tonight
BACK Jones back 2/19 after 3, 21 min since (95% of 22)
BACK Nnaji back 2/20 after 3, 8 min since (64% of 12)
NEW Strawther 15 to 25 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 107, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; Leonard at 30 and Collins at 17 a game. They have lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Bogdanović (4 straight), Batum (2 straight). 7 days' rest. Denver comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 123, shooting 49 percent and 35 from three, 34 free throws a game; Murray at 28 and Jokić at 25 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Watson (3 straight), Gordon (9 straight), Jones (3 straight). 7 days' rest.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-7 a night and the Clippers minus-5 and the defense, the Clippers allowing 107 a night to Denver's 123. Call it the Clippers 115, Denver 114, Denver keeping it close.
2/06 @ SAC 114-111 — LAC notes
LAC won 114-111. LAC shot 52% (37 of 71) to SAC's 45%, 9 of 21 from three, and went to the line 36 times to SAC's 22 — 31 points from the stripe to their 19. Leonard led with 31 (9 of 19, 1 of 5 from three, 12 of 12 at the line); Collins added 22, Lopez 15. The hinge was Q2, 31-22: the deficit went from 10 to 1. LAC trailed 48-49 at the half and won the second half 66-62. Dunn was the night's best plus/minus at +21.
2/08 @ MIN 115-96 — LAC notes
LAC won 115-96. LAC shot 51% (39 of 76) to MIN's 45%, 14 of 27 from three, and went to the line 28 times to MIN's 22 — 23 points from the stripe to their 14. LAC turned it over 13 times to MIN's 20. Leonard led with 41 (14 of 30, 5 of 11 from three, 8 of 10 at the line); Collins added 15, Niederhäuser 15. The hinge was Q3, 26-17: a lead of 12 became 21, and the lead reached 28. Dunn was the night's best plus/minus at +29.
2/10 @ HOU 95-102 — LAC notes
LAC lost 95-102. LAC took 9 more shots (88 to 79), fed by 17 offensive rebounds, but shot 41% to HOU's 46%, 8 of 30 from three. LAC turned it over 11 times to HOU's 16. Leonard led with 24 (7 of 19, 2 of 7 from three, 8 of 9 at the line); Collins added 17. Q2 was theirs, 26-24, turning a 1-point deficit into a 1-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 78-69 against them. Leonard's -16 in 31 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/11 @ HOU 105-102 — LAC notes
LAC won 105-102. LAC shot 47% (36 of 77) to HOU's 46%, 11 of 28 from three, and went to the line 26 times to HOU's 18 — 22 points from the stripe to their 14. LAC turned it over 9 times to HOU's 21. The glass went 32-45 against them. Leonard led with 27 (9 of 20, 1 of 5 from three, 8 of 9 at the line); Dunn added 16, Mathurin 16. The hinge was Q4, 35-26: LAC came in trailing by 6 and left it ahead by 3. LAC trailed 46-56 at the half and won the second half 59-46. Dunn was the night's best plus/minus at +7.
2/19 vs DEN 115-114 — LAC notes
LAC won 115-114. LAC shot 47% (41 of 87) to DEN's 45%, 8 of 33 from three. LAC turned it over 12 times to DEN's 17. Mathurin led with 38 (12 of 22, 2 of 6 from three, 12 of 13 at the line); Leonard added 23, Jones Jr. 22. The hinge was Q3, 33-25: LAC came in trailing by 7 and left it ahead by 1. LAC trailed 45-52 at the half and won the second half 70-62. Niederhäuser was the night's best plus/minus at +7.
2/20 @ LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 115, shooting 52 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; James at 22 and Reaves at 21 a game. Without Dončić (4 straight), Ayton (2 straight). 7 days' rest. The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 105, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 29 free throws a game; Leonard at 29 and Mathurin at 21 a game. Without Bogdanović (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the turnovers, the Lakers giving it away 18 times a game to the Clippers' 12 and the glass, where the Lakers have been plus-3 a night and the Clippers minus-4. Call it the Lakers 114, the Clippers 110, the Clippers keeping it close.
2/22 vs ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 108, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 27 free throws a game; Leonard at 29 and Mathurin at 22 a game. Without Sanders (2 straight), Bogdanović (6 straight). One day's rest. Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 108, shooting 45 percent and 38 from three, 25 free throws a game; Bane at 26 and Banchero at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Fra. Wagner (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the glass, where the Clippers have been minus-1 a night and Orlando minus-9. Call it the Clippers 113, Orlando 111, Orlando keeping it close.
2/26 vs MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 111, shooting 47 percent and 30 from three, 27 free throws a game; Leonard at 28 and Mathurin at 22 a game. Without Bogdanović (7 straight), Jackson (2 straight). 3 days' rest. Minnesota comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 118, shooting 52 percent and 39 from three, 26 free throws a game; Edwards at 29 and Randle at 21 a game. One day's rest.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the arc, Minnesota at 39 percent from three to the Clippers' 30 and the turnovers, Minnesota giving it away 17 times a game to the Clippers' 11. Call it the Clippers 116, Minnesota 115, Minnesota keeping it close.
3/01 vs NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 109, shooting 48 percent and 29 from three, 28 free throws a game; Leonard at 30 and Mathurin at 23 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Collins (2 straight), Jackson (3 straight). 2 days' rest. New Orleans comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 116, shooting 49 percent and 33 from three, 29 free throws a game; Bey at 25 and Williamson at 21 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Murphy III (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the defense, the Clippers allowing 109 a night to New Orleans's 116 and the turnovers, New Orleans giving it away 16 times a game to the Clippers' 13. Call it the Clippers 116, New Orleans 112, New Orleans keeping it close.
2/04 @ NYK 127-134 — DEN notes
DEN lost 127-134 in 2 overtimes. DEN shot 44% (46 of 105) to NYK's 50%, 13 of 50 from three, and went to the line 27 times to NYK's 19 — 22 points from the stripe to their 16. Murray led with 39 (15 of 33, 3 of 14 from three, 6 of 7 at the line); Jokić added 30, Hardaway Jr. 19. Q4 was theirs, 26-20, the deficit cut from 6 to 0, but the other 5 periods went 114-101 against them. Brown's -12 in 38 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/07 @ CHI 136-120 — DEN notes
DEN won 136-120. DEN shot 58% (49 of 85) to CHI's 45%, 16 of 33 from three, and went to the line 33 times to CHI's 20 — 22 points from the stripe to their 18. Murray led with 28 (11 of 18, 4 of 9 from three); Hardaway Jr. added 23, Jokić 22. The hinge was Q4, 39-16: DEN came in trailing by 7 and left it ahead by 16. DEN trailed 59-65 at the half and won the second half 77-55. Jokić was the night's best plus/minus at +36.
2/09 vs CLE 117-119 — DEN notes
DEN lost 117-119. DEN shot 45% (38 of 85) to CLE's 47%, 13 of 40 from three, and went to the line 35 times to CLE's 22 — 28 points from the stripe to their 18. Jokić led with 22 (6 of 11, 10 of 12 at the line); Braun added 20, Strawther 20. Q1 was theirs, 30-26, but the other 3 periods went 93-87 against them. They led by as many as 11.
2/11 vs MEM 122-116 — DEN notes
DEN won 122-116. DEN shot 53% (43 of 81) to MEM's 46%, 10 of 22 from three, and went to the line 32 times to MEM's 21 — 26 points from the stripe to their 17. DEN turned it over 14 times to MEM's 6, and MEM turned those into 12 steals. The glass went 46-29 for them. Jokić led with 26 (8 of 17, 10 of 14 at the line); Murray added 23, Hardaway Jr. 21. The hinge was Q3, 33-27: a lead of 6 became 12, and the lead reached 15. Braun was the night's best plus/minus at +12.
2/19 @ LAC 114-115 — DEN notes
DEN lost 114-115. DEN shot 45% (39 of 86) to LAC's 47%, 13 of 40 from three. DEN turned it over 17 times to LAC's 12, and LAC turned those into 9 steals. Jokić led with 22 (9 of 22, 0 of 6 from three, 4 of 7 at the line); Murray added 20, Brown 19. Q2 was theirs, 28-20, turning a 1-point deficit into a 7-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 95-86 against them. They led by as many as 10.
2/20 @ POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Portland comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 120, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 22 free throws a game; Holiday at 22 and Grant at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 12 a night. Without Sharpe (4 straight), Murray (19 straight), Thybulle (51 straight). 7 days' rest. Denver comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 121, shooting 49 percent and 35 from three, 32 free throws a game; Murray at 25 and Jokić at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Watson (4 straight), Gordon (10 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Portland wins, and the game turns on the line, where Denver takes 32 free throws a game to Portland's 22 and the turnovers, Portland giving it away 19 times a game to Denver's 14. Call it Portland 122, Denver 118, Denver keeping it close.
2/22 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Golden State comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 112, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 15 free throws a game; Santos at 15 and Moody at 15 a game. Without Ste. Curry (6 straight), Cryer (9 straight). 2 days' rest. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 129 a night and allowing 115, shooting 52 percent and 41 from three, 33 free throws a game; Jokić at 25 and Murray at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Watson (5 straight), Gordon (11 straight), Pickett (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the line, where Denver takes 33 free throws a game to Golden State's 15 and the glass, where Denver has been plus-10 a night and Golden State minus-2. Call it Denver 118, Golden State 114, Golden State keeping it close.
2/25 vs BOS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 116, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 32 free throws a game; Jokić at 27 and Murray at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Watson (6 straight), Gordon (12 straight), Pickett (3 straight). 2 days' rest. Boston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 99, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 13 free throws a game; Brown at 26 and Pritchard at 19 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 13 a night. Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the line, where Denver takes 32 free throws a game to Boston's 13 and the defense, Boston allowing 99 a night to Denver's 116. Call it Denver 115, Boston 112, Boston keeping it close.
2/27 @ OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
OKC comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 108, shooting 43 percent and 40 from three, 21 free throws a game; Wallace at 16 and Joe at 15 a game. Without Gilgeous-Alexander (9 straight), Jal. Williams (5 straight), Mitchell (15 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 109, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 28 free throws a game; Jokić at 29 and Murray at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Watson (7 straight), Gordon (13 straight), Pickett (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-9 a night and OKC plus-1 and the line, where Denver takes 28 free throws a game to OKC's 21. Call it OKC 115, Denver 113, Denver keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
DENBB B. Brown
CB C. Braun
CJ C. Johnson
JM J. Murray
JS J. Strawther
JV J. Valančiūnas
JO Jokic
NJ N. Jokić
SJ S. Jones
TH T. Hardaway Jr.
LACBL B. Lopez
BM B. Mathurin
DJ D. Jones Jr.
IJ I. Jackson
JC J. Collins
JM J. Miller
KD K. Dunn
KL K. Leonard
NB N. Batum
NI Niederhauser
YN Y. Niederhäuser
DEN/LAC the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Mathurin scores 38 points in his Clippers home debut in 115-114 win over the Nuggets
INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- — Bennedict Mathurin scored 38 points in his home debut for Los Angeles and the Clippers held off the Denver Nuggets 115-114 on Thursday night.
Denver’s Jamal Murray had a chance to tie it on three free throws with 0.9 seconds remaining after a foul from Derrick Jones Jr . Murray made the first two before missing the third, with time expiring on the rebound.
Kawhi Leonard added 23 points, and Jones had 22 to help the Clippers improve to 21-7 since Dec. 20. Both teams were coming off the All-Star break.
Mathurin, acquired from Indiana at the trade deadline, was 12 of 22 from the field, while Leonard went 8 of 18 and scored at least 20 points for the 34th consecutive game.
Nikloa Jokic had 22 points and 17 rebounds for Denver. Murray scored 20 points, Bruce Brown had 19, and Cam Johnson and Julian Strawther added 18 each.
Denver was without Aaron Gordon (hamstring) for the 10th consecutive game, while Peyton Watson (hamstring) has missed the past four.
Tempers flared with 10:27 remaining when the Clippers’ Yanic Konan Niederhauser , Kris Dunn and Mathurin tangled with the Nuggets’ Jonas Valanciunas under the Denver basket following a free throw.
Dunn, Mathurin and Valanciunas all received technical fouls, with Denver making one technical free throw for an 83-83 tie.
The Nuggets tied in 107-107 with 46 seconds remaining on a shot inside from Jokic. The Clippers went up 115-112 with nine seconds left on two free throws from Mathurin.