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sports Friday 21 January 2022
Jokic has 49, triple-double as Nuggets edge Clippers in OT

By MIKE CRANSTON Associ- the game."
ated Press TIP-INS
DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic Clippers: F Marcus Morris
had 49 points, 14 rebounds Sr. (personal reasons) was
and fed Aaron Gordon for a late scratch. ... Kennard
a tiebreaking 3-pointer with (COVID-19) had seven
1.9 seconds left in overtime points in his first game since
for his 10th assist, giving the Dec. 31.
Denver Nuggets a 130-128 Nuggets: Jamal Murray
victory over the Los Ange- (knee surgery) and Michael
les Clippers on Wednesday Porter Jr. (back surgery)
night. continued to ramp up their
Jokic drew a double-team, pregame shooting drills be-
then whipped a pass fore the game. Both hope
across the court into the to return this season. ... G
left corner. Gordon made Austin Rivers (non-COVID ill-
his fourth 3 of the game ness) returned after a two-
to give him 28 points and game absence.
Jokic his third straight triple- KEY CHALLENGE
double and 10th of the Zubac avoided fouling out
season. 10 rebounds. Jackson, who buzzer was an airball. they acquired shooting with 1:02 left in regulation
"I knew the ball was going grew up about an hour Jokic got an assist from his guard Bryn Forbes from San when the Clippers won a
to come to me because away in Colorado Springs, coach that may have kept Antonio. Injured players Bol replay challenge. Zubac
Jok makes the right play, had 28 points and 12 assists him around for the finish. Bol and P.J. Dozier went to had been called for a foul
the right pass, even in pres- while often blowing kisses His follow shot tied the Boston in the deal. on Jokic. The Nuggets won
sure situations," Gordon to hecklers in the crowd game at 72 with 4:40 left Dozier, a career 41.3% the ensuing jump ball and
said. "He put it on time and after made baskets as the in the third, but he imme- 3-point shooter, will give Jokic's driving layup tied it.
on target. All I had to do Clippers lost their second diately picked up a techni- Denver needed outside FORBES ON FRIDAY?
was catch and shoot." straight to kick off an NBA cal foul for barking at the shooting. He could play as Malone was hesitant to
Nuggets reserve Devon season-high, eight-game referee under the basket. soon as Friday. confirm that Forbes would
Reed came onto the floor road trip. He began to charge at The Nuggets needed him in play Friday. The Nuggets
after Gordon's basket "I love the hate," Jackson the official, but Michael the second quarter, when thought they had a deal
and received a technical said. Malone ran onto the court, their maligned bench was to send Bol to Detroit re-
foul. After Luke Kennard A week after blowing a restrained Jokic and he on the floor at the start of scinded when Bol failed a
hit the free throw, Reggie 25-point lead in the third avoided a second techni- the Clippers' 21-2 run. The physical.
Jackson's long 3-pointer quarter of a loss in Los An- cal. spurt continued when the "After what happened
bounced off the glass and geles, the Nuggets got "I was mad because he starters returned, as Jokic last week with trades, you
rim at the buzzer. their revenge by holding grabbed my leg when I missed his first six shots of never know what's going
Monte Morris added 19 the Clippers without a field was going up (for the shot)," the period before his buck- to happen," Malone said.
points, nine rebounds and goal for 7 1/2 minutes in the Jokic said. et cut it to 59-47 at halftime. "It's never an easy transi-
nine assists as the Nuggets third quarter while erasing Jokic, who has complained The Clippers frustrated tion. Trade calls, physicals,
won for the third time in a 15-point deficit. that he doesn't get enough Jokic last week with con- and when you've involved
four games behind anoth- It led to a frantic finish. After foul calls for much of the stant double-teams. This three teams, you're also
er masterful performance Will Barton's driving layup season, stayed in the game time, Zubac went at him waiting on other people's
from Jokic. with 26 seconds left in regu- and finished 14 of 16 from defensively, hitting 15 of 19 timelines as well."
"When he gets in the mode, lation tied it for the Nug- the foul line. The Clippers shots. UP NEXT
nobody in the world can gets, the Clippers couldn't took just 12 free throws. "I haven't had that much Clippers: At Philadelphia on
stop him," Morris said. get a shot off before the The Nuggets played hours fun until before I came into Friday night.
Ivica Zubac had a career- 24-second clock expired. after making official the the league," Zubac said. Nuggets: Host Memphis on
high 32 points and added But Jokic's fadeaway at the three-way trade in which "But unfortunately we lost Friday night.q
Johnson, Graham, Beck finalists for Salute to Service Award

By The Associated Press undefined employment after their service as coaches, active and retired play- ments and sacrifices of veterans,
Chicago Bears tight end Jimmy well as supporting military children, ers, team executives and person- Graham takes veterans airborne
Graham, Denver Broncos tight all three finalists for the 11th annual nel who best demonstrated sup- in his two US Army aircraft restora-
end/fullback Andrew Beck, and 'Salute to Service Award presented port for the military community. tions, a 1957 de Havilland Beaver
former Baltimore Ravens lineback- by USAA' should be recognized USAA will contribute $25,000 in the and 1967 UH1 Iroquois "Huey" heli-
er Jarret Johnson are finalists for for their commitment to America's award recipient's honor to the offi- copter. He also provides flights for
the NFL's Salute to Service Award. military community," said Vice Ad- cial aid societies representing each underprivileged youth as an intro-
The award recognizes people who miral (Retired) John Bird, USAA's of the military branches. The NFL will duction to aviation.
demonstrated exceptional effort senior vice president of military af- match that donation, which will be With the goal to employ veterans,
to honor and support members of fairs. "We thank and deeply appre- donated to the award recipient's Johnson recently partnered with a
the military community. It will be ciate Jarret, Jimmy, and Andrew military charity of choice. service-disabled Air Force veteran
recognized on Feb. 10 at NFL Hon- for joining USAA in always honoring Last year's award recipient was to start a Black Rifle Coffee fran-
ors, when The Associated Press re- and serving our military, veterans, Atlanta Falcons executive Steve chise in Niceville, Florida. The fran-
veals its individual award winners and their families, and encourage Cannon. The mission of The Jimmy chise employs more than 40 veter-
for the 2021 season. "From advo- all Americans to follow their lead in Graham Foundation is to provide ans, active-duty servicemen and
cacy and support to our currently participating in acts of service and life changing and impactful ex- women, veterans' spouses and
serving military to ensuring our vet- support for our military." periences through the freedom of children of military members from
erans successfully transition with This season, NFL clubs nominated flight. To recognize the accomplish- all around the world.q