The Denver Nuggets absolutely demolished the Los Angeles Clippers 120-101 in Game 7 to win the series, a score that was way closer than the actual game itself.
Nikola Jokic was merely mortal with 16 points, but the entire Nuggets roster stepped up around him from top to bottom. Aaron Gordon led all scorers with 22 points, while Jamal Murray had 21, Christian Braun had 19, and Jamal Murray, Russell Westbrook, and Michael Porter Jr. had 16, 16, and 15 respectively. Even Peyton Watson and DeAndre Jordan gave productive and impactful minutes on both ends of the floor.
This was a true team win in so many ways. The Nuggets stepped up to the table, and the Clippers crumbled.
Here’s the Notes from Game 7:
First Quarter:
- Slow starts for both teams and, as expected, a very physical game with few foul calls early
- Jokic starting very poorly as a scorer but creating shots for teammates, bothered by the physicality and making bad decisions
- Christian Braun cutting early and often into space as Clippers rotate in post defense
- Not a lot of scoring from Jokic, Murray, Kawhi Leonard, and James Harden to start
- Jokic and Murray a combined 0-of-7 in the quarter, Jokic in particular still very disrupted
- The intensity early was palpable and the Nuggets were simply looking to stay attached
Nuggets trail 26-21 after first quarter.
Second Quarter:
- Huge plays from Russell Westbrook and Peyton Watson off the bench, from steals and contests to splashing threes
- Westbrook absolutely flying all over the court, even making a big three-pointer. He’s been great in the series
- Kawhi started to get going as a scorer
- Jokic hits a mid-transition three to get on the board for real, making some great plays with hands defensively while getting out to contest on perimeter consistently
- Nuggets defense as a whole was fantastic
- Nuggets capitalized on momentum to re-take the lead and extend it
Nuggets lead 58-47 at halftime.
Third Quarter:
- Nuggets capture momentum early with a Jokic bucket, a Braun three (confidently stepped into that one) and a Gordon reverse dunk. Nuggets up 15 early third
- The avalanche continues, immediate 8-0 run right after to put Nuggets up 73-50 after a massive Michael Porter Jr. three in transition
AG, HOW????? pic.twitter.com/j3INB42hvz
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) May 4, 2025
- Nuggets defense extremely disruptive forcing turnovers and miscues left and right
- Clippers switching smalls onto Jokic and shrinking the floor considerably trying to junk up this game, Westbrook gets a key offensive rebound and two free throws off a Jokic miss
- Jokic picks up his third and fourth foul in 15 seconds of game time, Nuggets up 25 with 3 minutes to go
- Then, Jokic immediately picks up a fifth foul. He probably fouled on each of them, but in this game with the physicality that’s been presented, some of these calls have been very, very soft
- Still, Denver didn’t let it rattle them. Some great buckets from Braun and Murray to stem the tide
Nuggets lead 93-66 after third quarter.
Fourth Quarter:
- Immediate driving dunk from Porter on a miscommunication by the Clippers
- The onslaught continues. Clippers can’t score and the Nuggets cannot be stopped. Some tough shotmaking from Jamal Murray
- Aaron Gordon, the unsung hero at all times, just kept making plays, making contested jumpers
- Russell Westbrook picked off a pass, dunked, took an intentional technical hanging on the rim, then proceeded to yell at the crowd for a while. Very hyped moment
Haha Grant Hill with the quality lip read pic.twitter.com/4eigDbS7TU
— Ry Prichard (@CannabisEncyclo) May 4, 2025
- Some unfortunate runs happening for the Clippers to keep the game close than Denver would want. Nuggets even put staters back in for two minutes late
- Still got the deep reserves in the game
Nuggets win 120-101 vs Los Angeles Clippers.
Short Takeaway
It has to feel good for the Nuggets to get out of this series. After all they’ve had to deal with as a team, multiple firings, major twists and turns, to win a Game 7 at home has to feel great.
Nikola Jokic wasn’t at his best. He was bothered by Ivica Zubac and the Clippers’ elite defense for much of the series. Ultimately, it didn’t matter this time. The Clippers sold out in many ways to try and slow down Jokic, but it afforded other opportunities across the board that the Nuggets took advantage of with elite hustle, game plan discipline, and execution.
Russell Westbrook brought great energy all series. Christian Braun helped limit James Harden to a mere seven points, though he had 13 assists. Aaron Gordon matched Kawhi Leonard with 22 points, but Gordon was a +23, while Leonard was a -33. Kawhi didn’t impact the game in any significant way. He was just out there.
Peyton Watson made an impact, as did every Nugget that touched the floor. It was a good moment for the entire squad and nice to see the investment in this year turn into a second round advancement.
Now, it’s onto the Oklahoma City Thunder. More on them tomorrow.
Final Rotations
