Trailing 25-8 against the Denver Nuggets early last Thursday, the LA Clippers urgently required a spark off the bench. Enter Russell Westbrook. Initiating action, he assisted Paul George for a crucial 3-pointer with 1:05 left in the opening quarter. Subsequently, Westbrook facilitated two more 3-pointers to Amir Coffey and Norman Powell on consecutive possessions early in the second quarter.
Then, with 9:53 remaining in the second quarter, Westbrook electrified the crowd with a soaring two-handed alley-oop dunk from Powell, punctuated by a primal scream that ignited the atmosphere inside Crypto.com Arena. In a whirlwind six-minute stretch, Westbrook either scored or assisted on 15 points during a remarkable 22-6 surge, reducing the Nuggets' lead to a solitary point.
Westbrook's impact continued to unsettle the defending champions. During a break in play following a pair of Denver free throws after the Clippers had seized a late third-quarter lead, Westbrook communicated instructions to teammate Mason Plumlee across the court. Subsequently, Plumlee set a screen for James Harden, who promptly connected with Westbrook for a thunderous backdoor alley-oop.
Reflecting on his performance after the Clippers secured a hard-fought 102-100 victory, the 35-year-old guard remarked, "It's reassuring to know I can still elevate and feel the rush up there."