Russell Westbrook was wide open. That was by design. Of all the things the Clippers had to defend, they had chosen that Westbrook behind the 3-point line in the left corner was the least of their concern.

Following a back-and-forth game that included the Denver Nuggets battling back from a 15-point early deficit, a turning point came late in the fourth quarter when interim head coach David Adelman made a bold decision.

Despite Murray's recent absence, Westbrook has been coming off the bench for rookie point guard Jalen Pickett. When asked pregame about Westbrook's role now that Murray is set to return, interim Nuggets head coach David Adelman made it clear he will be playing his best players.