The Nuggets defeated the Clippers 126-103 in a back-to-back game, securing their position as fourth in the Western Conference. This victory was achieved even without Jokic, and Westbrook has truly proven himself this year. In just 29 minutes on the court, he scored 19 points with 6 rebounds and 8 assists, boasting an impressive +18 plus-minus rating. Since Malone promoted Westbrook to the starting lineup, he has seized the opportunity. If Murray hadn't been injured, Westbrook would have been in a sixth man role, tasked with leading the Nuggets' weak bench. Murray's injury provided Westbrook with a chance to showcase his skills, and his performance as a starter has indeed been strong. After Murray's return, the Nuggets did not adjust their starting lineup, keeping both Murray and Westbrook in the backcourt. The fact remains that Murray is a natural scorer, and his playing style does not conflict with Westbrook's. Additionally, Westbrook's remarkable defensive capabilities this season have been evident, with Nuggets reporters noting that he has limited opposing players' three-point shooting percentage to a mere 29.4%, ranking him among the league's top defenders. Despite criticism of Westbrook's defense and claims that his statistics don't translate into wins, he has delivered a starting performance that defies his detractors, along with an impressive win rate. When Westbrook starts, the Nuggets have a record of 11 wins and 4 losses. On average, he contributes 14.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 2.1 steals per game, demonstrating a well-rounded offensive and defensive game. His shooting accuracy stands at an impressive 53.5%, with a true…