Clippers Overpowered by Nuggets in 120-101 Loss

Rewritten Article:

Denver Nuggets Set to Square Off Against Oklahoma City Thunder in Intense Western Conference Showdown

The Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder are all set to lock horns in the second round of the NBA Western Conference playoffs. This highly-anticipated series spotlights a face-off between MVP contenders and contrasting postseason journeys.

Denver triumphed over the LA Clippers in a nail-biting seven-game battle, securing a spot in the second round with an impressive 120-101 victory in Game 7.

Aaron Gordon scored 22 points, Christian Braun added 21, and NBA MVP Nikola Jokic contributed 16 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists for the Nuggets. Their well-rounded offense and sturdy defense were simply too much for the Clippers.

The Clippers had battled back from the brink of elimination with a convincing game-six win, but their momentum evaporated in another disappointing performance from James Harden. Harden managed just seven points, connecting on two of eight shots.

Leading the charge for the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard scored 22 points. The team edged out a tight first quarter with a 26-21 lead, but it looked like just another close game between these evenly matched teams with identical 50-32 regular-season records.

However, the Nuggets stepped up their game in the second quarter, scoring 37 points to seize control. They continued to dominate in the third, extending their lead to 35 points at one point. The Nuggets held a commanding 93-66 lead going into the final quarter, even with Jokic being sidelined due to foul trouble.

The Nuggets outscored the Clippers 54-42 in the paint and had a 46-36 rebounding advantage, capturing 22 second-chance points compared to the Clippers' 10.

Nuggets guard Jamal Murray commented, "Everybody came to play. Everybody was ready, the home crowd was into it, and we were able to get the job done."

Russell Westbrook, who made a return against his former team, scored 16 points with five rebounds, five assists, and five steals against the Clippers. He emphasized his impact during the fourth quarter, stealing the ball for a dunk, hanging on the rim to draw a technical foul, and riling up the crowd in the process.

Now, the Nuggets will need to ramp up their performance even more to challenge the top-seeded Thunder, who boast an impressive 68-14 regular-season record after sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round.

Murray foresees a tough, hard-fought contest against the Thunder, which starts with Game 1 in Oklahoma City on May 5. With the series’ emotional stakes amplified by Westbrook's return to OKC with fans in attendance, this promises to be an exciting matchup.

Enrichment Data:

Schedule and Context

This highly-anticipated Western Conference second-round series begins on May 5 (Game 1), with the Thunder holding home-court advantage due to their league-best 68-14 regular-season record. The Nuggets advanced after a grueling seven-game first-round victory over the Clippers. Oklahoma City swept the Grizzlies in four games.

Key Schedule Details (all times MT):- Game 1: May 5, 7:30 p.m. (Thunder home)[3][5]- Game 2: May 7, 7:30 p.m. (Thunder home)[3]- Game 3: May 9, 8:00 p.m. (Nuggets home)[3]- Game 4: May 11, 1:30 p.m. (Nuggets home; aired on Denver7)[3]- Games 5–7 (if needed): Dates TBD[3].

Key Matchups

Jokic vs. Gilgeous-Alexander: Nikola Jokic (3-time MVP) averaged a triple-double this season, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the NBA in scoring (32.7 PPG) and is a top MVP contender[3][5].
Rest vs. Fatigue: The Thunder’s week-long rest contrasts sharply with Denver’s quick turnaround after a physically taxing series[3][5].
Westbrook’s Return: Russell Westbrook’s first playoff appearance in OKC with fans adds emotional stakes[5].

Statistical and Strategic Factors

Regular Season Split: The teams split their four meetings[5].
Offensive Firepower: OKC’s top-ranked offense (regular season) goes up against Denver’s playoff-tested defense.
Experience vs. Youth: The Nuggets’ core (Jokic, Murray) has Finals experience, while OKC’s young roster (Holmgren, Williams) seeks a breakthrough[3][5].

This series will largely depend on Jokic’s impact and the Thunder’s ability to maintain their regular-season dominance under playoff pressure. The Thunder’s rest advantage could be crucial in the early stages, while Denver’s resilience after a grueling seven-game series may prove decisive in the later stages.

The Denver Nuggets, having overcome the Los Angeles Clippers in a grueling seven-game battle, will now face the Oklahoma City Thunder in a meaningful NBA playoff series.
Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers in scoring, but it was Oklahoma City's impressive regular-season record of 68-14 that earned them home-court advantage in the second round.
The Nuggets will need to ramp up their performance to challenge the Thunder, who boast a top-ranked offensive and are well-rested after sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies.
In this upcoming series, the key matchups include Nikola Jokic versus Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Nuggets' playoff-tested defense against OKC's top-ranked offense, and the impact of Russell Westbrook's return to Oklahoma City with fans in attendance.