The Clippers and Nuggets promised fireworks — and for the first two games, they delivered. Both matchups were decided by just five points combined, setting up what looked like a long, dramatic series. But in Game 3, that script flipped hard. Suddenly, the Clippers didn’t just beat the Nuggets — they dismantled them.
The defending champions now look wobbly. And Ty Lue knows exactly who deserves a chunk of the credit: Jeff Van Gundy. Yes, that JVG. Jeff Van Gundy—the fiery, bespectacled assistant coach who’s the mastermind behind the Clippers’ turnaround.
“We thought Joker knew how we’d been playing in the first two games,” Lue explained postgame. “He was baiting us early on, but JVG did a great job adjusting. Once they hit us with those early cuts, we cleaned it up.”
The Clippers’ Game 3 surge didn’t happen by accident. Early on, Nikola Jokic orchestrated Denver’s offense with surgical precision, punishing LA for overcommitting to help defense with quick baseline cuts. But Van Gundy and the Clippers’ staff didn’t let the bleeding continue.
Instead of crowding Jokic in the paint, LA’s defenders stayed home, selling out on corner cutters and mixing up their coverages to keep Denver guessing. Ivica Zubac, especially, excelled at guarding Jokic straight up without bringing unnecessary doubles. As a result, Denver’s flow collapsed. They failed to crack 30 points in any quarter after the first. The tactical shift wasn’t flashy, but it was brutally effective. LA’s anticipation, Van Gundy’s hallmark emphasis all season, finally tipped the scales.
Meanwhile, the Clippers kept piling on the points. Norman Powell (20), James Harden (20), and Kawhi Leonard (21) each crossed the 20-point mark. Their 117-83 win wasn’t just a victory — it was a statement. Clippers fans, meanwhile, brought the noise. With horse masks taunting Jokic, The Intuit Dome felt more like a college gym than a billion-dollar arena. “Our fans were unbelievable,” Lue said.
This match, however, revealed the Nuggets’ underbelly. Their problems, unfortunately, go far deeper than just one bad night. In Game 3, cracks that had been faintly visible earlier suddenly split wide open. Nikola Jokic’s visible frustration on the bench — captured by cameras during heated exchanges with coaches — marked an unusual emotional outburst from the usually stoic MVP. Defensive breakdowns were just as glaring, with the Clippers raining down nine three-pointers in the opening quarter, exploiting Denver’s slow rotations and lapses.
The bench looked equally overwhelmed, offering little resistance after Russell Westbrook’s injury further thinned Denver’s already shaky second unit. On the glass, LA dominated, pulling down 15 offensive rebounds and converting them into a decisive advantage in second-chance points.
Perhaps most worrying, Jokic himself seemed physically drained — the toll of carrying the Nuggets’ offense for two games straight catching up with him. He still logged a triple-double, but it felt hollow—23 points, 13 boards, 13 dimes in a 34-point blowout? That’s not dominance. That’s isolation. Coach David Adelman didn’t sugarcoat it: “We got embarrassed today.” Put it all together, and the “worrying signs” aren’t subtle anymore — they’re flashing in bright red for the defending champs.
And lurking behind the Clippers’ stunning transformation? A familiar mastermind with a brand-new playbook. Jeff Van Gundy hasn’t just tweaked the Clippers’ defense — he’s rewritten their DNA. And in Game 3, it was his fingerprints all over Denver’s unraveling.
Why JVG might be the Clippers’ real MVP
While the spotlight shines brightest on stars like Kawhi and Harden, Clippers insiders will tell you: Jeff Van Gundy is the secret sauce.
All year long, JVG demanded aggression, physicality, and total anticipation on defense. From screaming on the sidelines to adjusting player positioning by mere inches in practice, his obsessive attention to detail redefined LA’s identity.
In fact, LA’s rise from 16th to 3rd in defensive rating wasn’t fueled by major roster moves — it was fueled by a mindset shift. Van Gundy’s schemes prioritize shutting down passing lanes, scrapping on the glass, and forcing opponents into uncomfortable spots. His influence showed tonight, when Jokic’s normally surgical offense looked bogged down, predictable, and desperate.
To understand tonight’s shift, you need to rewind—not to Game 2, but to training camp in Hawaii. That’s where Jeff Van Gundy told this roster they were going to become a defense-first team. Not try. Not attempt. Become.
“He changed the identity of our team,” said Norm Powell earlier this season. Even Harden, never known for lockdown defense, credits JVG for helping him ramp up his on-ball efforts. Game 3 was a masterclass in Van Gundy-ism: disciplined rotations, physical rebounding, chaotic hands in passing lanes. LA didn’t just beat Denver — they unhinged them.
Dec 1, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) moves to the basket against Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) and guard Terance Mann (14) during the second half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
But right now, one can’t help but wonder: what’s next for both teams?
If the Nuggets want to avoid disaster, they’ll need a massive recalibration. Jokic must find easier outlets when the Clippers deny cutters. Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray must step up as reliable scoring options. Most critically, Denver’s defense — particularly their transition and second-chance effort — has to tighten up. As Ty Lue reminded everyone: “Joker’s still the best player in the world.” And even the best player can flip a series. But right now, the burden Jokic carries looks heavier than ever.
Meanwhile, the Clippers must resist the temptation to coast. They blitzed Denver once — now comes the hard part: doing it again. Van Gundy’s schemes exposed cracks, but if LA wants to put this series away, their intensity and defensive focus must stay sky-high.
Game 4 for the Clippers isn’t just about extending a lead — it’s about breaking Denver’s spirit. Stay tuned. This chess match is just heating up.
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