With Kawhi Leonard out, Clippers lean on defense to defeat Denver in scrappy win

It was going to be a tall order for the Clippers to beat the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena, but it grew even more challenging with Kawhi Leonard missing a second straight game because of right knee soreness.

Leonard’s absence didn’t prevent the Clippers from pressing forward in a meaningful game against the Nuggets, leaning on a sterling defensive effort after the first quarter to pull off a 102-100 win that wasn’t decided until the final shot.

Clippers center Ivica Zubac, who had 14 points and 15 rebounds, came up with two key defensive stops late in the fourth quarter. P.J. Tucker, who started in place of Leonard, made the final defensive stand when he forced Nikola Jokic into missing a game-winning three-point shot as time expired.

Clippers guard Russell Westbrook dunks over Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and forward Jrue Holiday in the second half Thursday.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Jokic had a triple-double, with 36 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists, for the second-place Nuggets (53-24), but the Clippers still broke their five-game losing streak at home because of their defense.

“I thought we did a good job paying attention to detail, executing the game plan. I thought PJ and Zu did a good job mixing it up guarding Joker, just giving him different looks,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “And we were right on point with a lot of things tonight. Outside of the little KCP [Kentavious Caldwell-Pope] three, we didn’t switch out. But other than that, I thought we really did a good job paying attention to detail.”

Paul George had 28 points for the Clippers (48-28), scoring seven key points in the fourth quarter.

James Harden had 20. He didn’t have a good shooting night, going six for 23 from the field and two for 13 from three-point range.

“I didn’t make any shots, but the [shots] felt good, I ain’t going to lie,” Harden said. “In my mind, I’ve got the scoring mentality still. So, it’s like, I missed and I took 13 threes, if four more go in, that’s a killer game. You know, the shots don’t go in, but I think most of them were really good shots.”

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1. Clippers forward Paul George drives to the basket against Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson. 2. Denver coach Michael Malone leaves the court after being ejected in the fourth quarter. 3. Clippers guard Norman Powell passes in front of Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon in the second half. 4. Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon tries to block Clippers forward Paul George in the second half. 5. Clippers center Mason Plumlee tries to bat the ball out of Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon’s hands in the second half. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Still, things likely would have been a bit easier if Leonard had played — he leads the team in points (23.7 per game) and steals (1.60), and averages 6.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.

Lue said before Thursday’s game he was not sure yet if his All-Star would play Friday night against the Utah Jazz. He declined to discuss specifics regarding Leonard’s injury.

“...He has knee soreness and he’s going to miss a couple games,” Lue said, “and so we got to be ready to step up and play without him until he’s ready. And so he’s going through his rehab process and trying to get better.”

With the Clippers leading by three late in the fourth quarter, Zubac played tough defense on Jokic, forcing him into a missed shot. Zubac then made two free throws to give the Clippers a 102-97 lead with 1:08 left.

After Jokic made a three-pointer to pull the Nuggets to within 102-100, Zubac then forced Aaron Gordon into a travel and a turnover.

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The Clippers still had to make one last stop when the Nuggets got the ball back. Tucker played physical on Jokic, staying as close as possible without fouling. Under close pressure from Tucker, Jokic turned and hoisted a 30-foot three-pointer that grazed the rim as time expired.

“For us, it’s just trying our best to make it more difficult on that last play,” Harden said. “I mean, [Jokic] was wide open initially. I tried to take it away. He got the ball above half-court and P.J. did a good job of turning him and he took a tough shot. So, you pray and you contest his shot and if they make it, they make it.”