Denver Nuggets forward Julian Strawther (1) moves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers center Brook Lopez (11) during the first half at Intuit Dome.
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The Denver Nuggets visited the Los Angeles Clippers in the preseason at Intuit Dome on Wednesday, looking for their third win.
The Nuggets had a concerning moment in the third quarter, as Julian Strawther appeared to have suffered a lower-body injury. He was trying to dribble past Isaiah Jackson and Blake Wesley when he fell to the floor, grimacing in pain.
ClutchPoints' Tomer Azarly noted the bleak outlook for the young guard.
“Julian Strawther tweaked his knee on that last collision, went down in pain, and stayed down for a minute,” wrote Azarly on X.
“Replay did not look good. He's now being helped back to the Nuggets locker room.”
Strawther did not return to the contest. He finished with 11 points, two rebounds, and two turnovers in 19 minutes.
The Nuggets lost to the Clippers, 122-110.
The 24-year-old Strawther is hoping to have a breakout campaign in his fourth year with the Nuggets. Last season, he averaged 7.2 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 15.1 minutes in 57 games. He shot a career-best 46.7% from the field, including 38.7% from long range.
Strawther, the No. 29 pick in 2023, has proven that he can produce when given ample time on the floor. He, however, is behind Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Tyus Jones, and DeMar DeRozan on the depth chart.
He is in the final year of his first contract and is eligible to sign a rookie-scale extension.
Trevon Brazile had 22 points and two rebounds against the Clippers, while Cam Whitmore added 17 points and four rebounds. Murray tallied 14 points and four rebounds.