Clippers' playoff run ends in Game 7 as James Harden falters against the Nuggets
Rewritten Article:
Denver, Colorado - The (Clippers) coaches had been unbeaten in Game 7s, but alas, that streak went up in smoke against the Denver Nuggets. Tyronn Lue's boys knew they could rely on their seasoned coach to guide them in this must-win encounter, but it wasn't meant to be.
Lue made it clear that he was just the coach and didn't take the court himself; his streak of four consecutive wins in Game 7s was due to having "talented players" who were up to the challenge, and he believed he had the right men to take on the Nuggets in Game 7 at Ball Arena.
Sadly, the odds were against the Clippers, who suffered a 120-101 thrashing. The home team had historically won 74.2% of Game 7s, and the Nuggets left no room for doubt, winning their best-of-seven series 4-3 and building a commanding 35-point lead in the fourth quarter.
"Losing in a Game 7 like this is disheartening," Lue lamented.
The Nuggets fans began chanting, "Beat L.A." as their team opened a 65-50 lead, forcing a timeout. And they certainly lived up to their chant, pulverizing the Clippers in the third quarter, outscoring them 35-19, effectively snuffing out the Clippers' spirit and sending them packing for the summer.
"I think we could have given a better account of ourselves, no doubts about it," said superstar Kawhi Leonard, who scored 22 points. "I don't think this team was 30 points better than us, as evidenced by our performance across the first six games. But let's give credit where it's due - they came to play, moved the ball, made their shots, and showed hunger."
James Harden, another star for the Clippers, had a disappointing game, scoring only seven points on two-for-eight shooting, with 13 assists. His lackluster performance was yet another low point for him in this series. He chose not to speak to the media after the game, mirroring his silence following losses in Games 4 and 5.
backup big man, Ivica Zubac, who recorded a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds, said, "They played harder. They outplayed us in every aspect of the game. That was the difference."
Nikola Jokic wasn't at his best, but he still managed 16 points on six-for-14 shooting, eight rebounds, eight assists, and five fouls, which limited his court time. Aaron Gordon was a thorn in the Clippers' side, scoring 22 points, while Jamal Murray had 16, and the ever-dangerous Russell Westbrook relished his 16 points against his former teammates.
Lue made a notable change to his lineup, substituting Derrick Jones Jr. for Kris Dunn and then starting Nicolas Batum in the third quarter in place of Jones. This switch was a clear indication that Lue was prepared to make decisions to beat the Nuggets in a Game 7.
"In a Game 7, there are no tactics, it's about who wants it more," Batum said. "And clearly, they wanted it more than us."
Defense was the key for the Clippers right from the start, but it was their weakness that eventually cost them the game. They managed to make Jokic's life miserable in the first quarter, forcing him to miss his first five shots and score just two points, and stifling Murray until halftime, keeping him scoreless for the first 12 minutes.
However, the Nuggets eventually got their act together and began to pour in the points. The Clippers, who had been on top in the first, was unable to hold back the Nuggets for those 12 minutes, giving up 37 points, allowing them to shoot 50% and 50% from three-point range, and recording a total of 50 points by halftime.
The Clippers, who finished the regular season with a record of 50-32, just like the Nuggets, were the fifth-seeded team in the Western Conference. But in the end, it didn't matter - the Clippers' season is over.
"I would say this team deserved a better ending," said Bogdan Bogdanovic, who scored 12 points off the bench. "We got to take a long, hard look in the mirror. That's it."
Additional Reads
- James Harden and Kawhi Leonard power Clippers past Nuggets to force Game 7
- Clippers struggle to find answers in critical Game 6 against Nuggets
- Clippers falter against Nuggets and are one step away from ending their season
- Despite the coaching prowess of Tyronn Lue in Game 7s, the Los Angeles Clippers fell to the Denver Nuggets in California's Ball Arena, marking a disappointing end to their basketball season in the NBA.
- Kawhi Leonard, a star player for the Clippers, acknowledged that they could have performed better in the deciding Game 7, despite their excellent play across the first six games.
- The Nuggets' commanding 35-point lead in the fourth quarter was a testament to their determination and superior play throughout the game, ultimately sealing the 4-3 series win and eliminating the Clippers from the NBA playoffs.
