Clippers Outplayed by Nuggets in NBA Playoffs, Suffering Elimination
In a thrilling turn of events, the Denver Nuggets have outplayed the Los Angeles Clippers in game seven of their playoff series, securing their spot in the next round. Star player Aaron Gordon led the charge with 22 points, while Christian Braun contributed 21 and the MVP, Nikola Jokic, added 16 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists.
The Clippers, who had stormed into the playoffs by winning 18 out of their last 21 regular-season games, struggled to regain their momentum. Their woes were compounded by a dismal performance from James Harden, who managed just seven points from two shots. Kawhi Leonard scored 22 points for the Clippers, but the Nuggets' balanced attack and robust defense proved too much for them.
The game started tightly contested, with the Nuggets leading 93-66 going into the fourth quarter. Even when Jokic was sidelined due to foul trouble, the Clippers could not make a meaningful comeback. The Nuggets outscored the Clippers 54-42 in the paint and held a 46-36 advantage in rebounds, grabbing 22 second-chance points to the Clippers' 10.
Nuggets' guard Jamal Murray hailed his team's victory, saying, "Everybody came to play. Everybody was ready, the home crowd was into it, and we were able to get the job done." The victory was particularly sweet for Russell Westbrook, who scored 16 points, five rebounds, five assists, and five steals, and took the opportunity to express his joy against his former team.
The Nuggets' triumph comes after a tumultuous finish to their regular season, with David Adelman stepping in as interim head coach after Michael Malone's dismissal, three games before the end of the season. The team is now looking forward to facing the Oklahoma City Thunder, who won a league-best 68 games in the regular season and swept the Memphis Grizzlies in four games in the first round. The series between these two MVP finalist-led teams will undoubtedly be a hard-fought, high-energy battle.
Here's a glance at the series so far:- Game 3: Nuggets 113, Thunder 104 (OT)- Game 4: Thunder 92, Nuggets 87
Both teams have displayed impressive resilience, with the Nuggets' win in overtime and the Thunder's victory after trailing by 22 points early. Key players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the Thunder and Nikola Jokic for the Nuggets have been crucial in their teams' success. The series promises to be a fascinating battle of defenses, as both teams showcased their ability to contain their opponents in the first two games. stays tuned for more updates!
This news report is brought to you by AFP.
[1] "2025 NBA Playoffs: Thunder hold off Nuggets in Game 4 comeback", ESPN, May 11, 2025, https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33996185/2025-nba-playoffs-thunder-hold-off-nuggets-game-4-comeback
[2] "2025 NBA Playoffs: Denver Nuggets hold on for overtime win over Oklahoma City Thunder", NBA.com, May 9, 2025, https://www.nba.com/news/2025-denver-nuggets-hold-on-overtime-win-oklahoma-city-thunder
The Denver Nuggets' victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in the playoffs has indicated their potential to excel in basketball's highest level, as they demonstrated a balanced attack and robust defense. Moving forward, this skill set will be crucial against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who will present a tough challenge with their impressive resilience and defense. NBA fans can expect another intriguing match-up between the two MVP finalists, Jokic and SGA, in their upcoming playoff series.
