Last February, Reggie Jackson was traded by the Clippers, in order to bring Mason Plumlee to Los Angeles. The starting leader of Tyronn Lue’s gang for almost two years, the former Thunder and Pistons had lost his smile and his efficiency. Relegated to the bench, he had become a simple bargaining chip.
His time with Charlotte was, however, very brief since, cut, he would quickly join the Nuggets. Without really imposing himself since he will remain on the bench during almost all the playoffs. But with the title at the end, and an extension at stake, the 33-year-old could get back on track.
“I have a collection of people who thought it was over but it just bounced back and forth.” explained Denver GM Calvin Booth about the confidence placed in the leader. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins Sixth Man of the Year. He’s like that. He was dead and buried in Detroit, then he averaged 19 points two years ago (actually 16.8 points on average in 2021/22). The guy is resilient.”
The Clippers defense cut up
Resilient but a little on alternating current since, propelled into the starting position in Denver since Jamal Murray’s injury, he can sometimes completely miss a match (2 points at 1/7, 6 balls lost against the Rockets).
But this night, against the “Fab Four” of the Clippers, Reggie Jackson delivered a real recital. In the absence of Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokic, he had the keys to the Nuggets’ game against his former franchise, and he exposed the fragility of this Los Angeles team, constantly punished behind its back and falling behind defensively. .
The stats line is superb (35 points at 15/19 shooting, 13 assists, +25 on +/-), the visual impression as well as he systematically overtook Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and company.
An inevitably tasty revenge, while he also permanently orbited DeAndre Jordan in the air, who can also enjoy the evening against his former club, with 21 points and 13 rebounds. After the match, Mike Malone could only advise his leader to imagine that each opponent of the Nuggets was the Clippers…
