Long before the twists and turns and brushes with basketball mortality, before this journey pitted Russell Westbrook against his home, this Los Angeles story began with a few simple words.

It was needed, too, as the Nuggets were without Russell Westbrook, who was out with injury. Jamal Murray also struggled, with Michael Porter Jr. even dealing with a shoulder injury. With the series headed back to Denver, ESPN's Ramona Shelbourne asked Westbrook, after the game, for an injury update.