How to watch Nuggets vs. Clippers Game 2: Time, odds, lineups, injuries and preview

The Denver Nuggets are back at Ball Arena to host the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 2 of the Western Conference First Round. Here's everything you need to know ahead of Monday night's matchup — including how to watch, betting odds, injury updates, projected lineups, and the key matchup to watch

BY TRENT FINNEGAN

Apr 21, 2025, 11:27 AM

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After the most thrilling Game 1 out of all eight playoff matchups, the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers are back in action at Ball Arena on Monday night for Game 1 of the 4-5 matchup in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs. In Game 1, the Nuggets were down 15 points at one time, but came roaring back in the second half to steal the win.

Nikola Jokic was one rebound shy of a triple double in Saturday’s contest, but the story of the game was Russell Westbrook, who closed for Denver in place of Michael Porter Jr. in the fourth quarter and overtime. Westbrook hit a clutch 3-pointer to take the lead in the waning seconds of regulation, and then came up big on the defensive side of the ball in overtime, forcing a key turnover down the stretch.

While Westbrook’s performance was necessary for Denver’s win, it resulted in Jamal Murray being taken out of the game in key moments, as the Clippers sent Westbrook’s man to double team Murray. It worked once for the Nuggets, but it’s no guarantee that it will work three more times this series. Denver needs the Murray-Jokic two-man game down the stretch to win these high-stakes playoff games, and LA found a way to take it out of the playbook in Game 1.

For an in-depth analysis of the series, click here.

How to watch Game 2 of Nuggets-Clippers

Game 2 will be broadcast on TNT, TruTV and Altitude TV, with the opening tip scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Denver time. It will also be streamed on Altitude+ and MAX.

Odds for Game 2 of Nuggets-Clippers

Spread/Total: Nuggets +1.5, 218.5

Moneyline: Nuggets +100, Clippers -118

Nikola Jokic to record a triple-double: +130

Monday night will be the first time the Nuggets have been an underdog for a home playoff game since Game 4 of the 2022 Western Conference First Round when the eventual-champion Golden State Warriors came to town. The Warriors were favored by 4.5 points in that game, but a clutch 3-pointer by Will Barton with eight seconds left sealed the win for the Nuggets to avoid being swept.

Projected starting lineups for Game 2 of Nuggets-Clippers

Nuggets
G: Jamal Murray
G: Christian Braun
F: Michael Porter Jr.
F: Aaron Gordon
C: Nikola Jokic

Clippers
G: James Harden
G: Kris Dunn
G: Norman Powell
F: Kawhi Leonard
C: Ivica Zubac

Injury notes/report for Game 2 of Nuggets-Clippers

Nuggets
Aaron Gordon has popped back up on Denver’s injury report with the right calf strain that has bothered him for a good chunk of the season, but is listed as probable for Monday’s contest. DaRon Holmes II is the only other player listed on Denver’s injury report, as he is still rehabbing the Achilles tendon he tore back in the NBA Summer League.

Clippers
The Clippers injury report is clean heading into Game 2 after Nic Batum played and had an effective role in Game 1.

Referees for Game 2 of Nuggets-Clippers

Crew Chief: Marc Davis (#8)
Referee: Tyler Ford (#39)
Umpire: Ed Malloy (#14)
Alternate: Marat Kogut (#32)
Replay Center: Scott Foster

What to watch for in Game 2 of Nuggets-Clippers

Who will be the fifth player in Denver’s lineup down the stretch? Michael Porter Jr. started for Denver in Game 1, but was on the bench when it mattered because of a poor performance. Russell Westbrook became the fifth guy on the floor for David Adelman, despite shooting 5-of-17, because he brought much-needed energy on the glass and defensive side of the floor, highlighted by him forcing a turnover with just nine seconds left that essentially put the game to bed for Denver. After the win on Saturday, Adelman credited Westbrook for playing like a free-safety on the defensive side of the ball and being in attack mode on the offensive side.

For Porter, he was unengaged on the defensive end of the floor, pulled down just four rebounds and only made one of his four field goal attempts. There have been plenty of playoff games in the past where Porter ended the night on the bench, but Saturday was one of his poorest playoff performances in his career. He will be in the starting lineup again, but only time will tell if he’s ready to give as much effort as Westbrook on defense.