Series Overview
Both teams entered the playoffs with identical 50–32 regular-season records, setting the stage for a tightly contested series. The Nuggets ultimately prevailed, winning the series 4–3 and advancing to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Semifinals.
Game-by-Game Summary
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Game 1 (Nuggets 112, Clippers 110): Denver overcame a 15-point deficit, with Nikola Jokić nearly achieving a triple-double (29 points, 9 rebounds, 12 assists). A crucial late-game steal by Russell Westbrook sealed the win.
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Game 2 (Clippers 105, Nuggets 102): Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 39 points on 15-of-19 shooting, evening the series.
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Game 3 (Clippers 117, Nuggets 83): A dominant 23–2 run by the Clippers propelled them to a blowout victory, with balanced scoring across the roster.
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Game 4 (Nuggets 101, Clippers 99): Aaron Gordon’s buzzer-beating putback dunk—the first of its kind in NBA playoff history—secured a dramatic win for Denver.
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Game 5 (Nuggets 131, Clippers 115): Jamal Murray exploded for 43 points, including 8 three-pointers, giving Denver a 3–2 series lead.
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Game 6 (Clippers 111, Nuggets 105): Strong performances from James Harden (28 points), Kawhi Leonard (27 points), and Norman Powell (24 points) forced a decisive Game 7.
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Game 7 (Nuggets 120, Clippers 101): Denver dominated the second and third quarters, outscoring the Clippers 72–40. Aaron Gordon led with 22 points, while Jokić contributed 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists. James Harden struggled, scoring only 7 points on 2-of-8 shooting.
Key Takeaways
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Denver Nuggets: The Nuggets showcased depth and resilience, with six players scoring in double figures in Game 7. Jamal Murray’s scoring prowess and Nikola Jokić’s all-around excellence were instrumental throughout the series.
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Los Angeles Clippers: Despite flashes of brilliance from Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, the Clippers’ inconsistency and inability to maintain leads proved costly. This marks their third consecutive first-round exit, raising questions about the team’s future direction.
This series will be remembered for its high-stakes drama, individual heroics, and the Nuggets’ ability to perform under pressure, reinforcing their status as a formidable playoff contender.
