Denver Nuggets Dominate Clippers to Advance to Second Round Against Thunder
Denver, CO — The Denver Nuggets secured a decisive 120-101 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 7 of their NBA playoff series, setting the stage for a second-round matchup with the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Nuggets showcased a balanced scoring effort, led by Aaron Gordon with 22 points and Christian Braun, who added 21. Reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic contributed 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, as Denver’s offense and defense overwhelmed the Clippers on Saturday night.
The Clippers entered the game with momentum after winning 18 of their last 21 regular-season games, including a strong Game 6. However, star guard James Harden struggled, scoring only 7 points on 2-for-8 shooting, failing to capitalize on the team’s early momentum. Kawhi Leonard was the Clippers’ leading scorer with 22 points.
After a competitive first quarter where Los Angeles led 26-21, the tide shifted dramatically in the second when the Nuggets erupted for 37 points. They extended their lead significantly in the third quarter, culminating in a 17-0 run that put them ahead 75-50. By the end of the third, the Nuggets led 93-66, and despite Jokic facing foul trouble, they maintained control.
Denver’s offensive dominance was evident, outscoring the Clippers 54-42 in the paint and creating 22 second-chance points. Jamal Murray noted the team’s readiness, indicating, “Everybody came to play.”
Former Clipper Russell Westbrook added 16 points, playing a pivotal role off the bench and stirring the crowd with a late-game dunk and technical foul. The Nuggets, overcoming a tumultuous end to their regular season, will face the Thunder—who led the league with 68 wins—in Game 1 on Monday, featuring a star matchup between Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
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