Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray has identified a key player from the Los Angeles Clippers who could significantly impact their upcoming playoff series.
Murray, reflecting on the Nuggets’ first-round matchup against the Clippers, singled out Norman Powell, acknowledging his substantial contribution to Los Angeles’ success throughout the 2024-25 regular season.
“I think Norm is super underrated. I’ve been liking his game since he was in Toronto. Super strong, gets downhill, he’s aggressive. If he misses three or four, it doesn’t waver his confidence, which is big. Obviously, he’s had big nights for them over the course of the season. I think he’s an X-factor for them,” Murray said.
“He’s someone that you can’t just let walk into threes or transition threes and just kind of find a rhythm. That makes everybody on the team’s job a little bit easier. So we’re going to treat him as one of the guys, too, and I’m going to do my best to limit his touches and his attempts.”
Los Angeles Clippers’ Norman Powell Named X-Factor
Murray’s recognition of Powell’s game is noteworthy, given his observation of Powell’s development since his early years in the NBA.
Powell’s career trajectory saw him evolve into a valuable role player with the Toronto Raptors, contributing to their championship victory in 2019. Following a brief stint in Portland, he joined the Clippers in 2022.
Over the past two seasons, Powell has been a strong contender for the Sixth Man of the Year award, demonstrating his high-level production off the bench. This season, he transitioned into a full-time starting role, a decision that has proven beneficial for the team. In 60 regular-season games, Powell averaged 21.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.
Powell emerges as a player that Murray and the Nuggets must prioritize in their defensive game plan. Effectively containing him could significantly improve their chances of winning the series, a challenging prospect given the balanced star power on both teams.
Denver concluded the regular season with a 50-32 record, securing the fifth seed in the Western Conference standings. The Nuggets aim to make a deep playoff run, following their Game 7 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Semifinals last year. It has been two years since their championship run in 2023.
The Nuggets will host the Clippers for the opening game of their series. Game 1 is scheduled for April 19 at 3:30 p.m. ET.