Clippers Force Game 7 with Win Over Nuggets
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Clippers edged past the Denver Nuggets 113-107 on Thursday night, driven by standout performances from James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and Norman Powell, securing a decisive Game 7 in their first-round playoff series.
Harden led the way with 28 points, while Leonard and Powell contributed 27 and 24 points respectively. Despite Denver shooting an impressive 52.4% from the field compared to the Clippers’ 50%, the Nuggets struggled with turnovers, giving up 23 points off 14 mistakes, a critical factor in the game’s outcome.
The tide turned in the third quarter, as Denver experienced a scoring drought of nearly five minutes. During this stretch, Los Angeles seized the opportunity with a 12-0 run, flipping a close 68-66 lead into an 80-66 advantage within just over four minutes. Powell shone in this quarter, scoring 11 of his points, while Harden had a notable first half with 21 points, including 17 in the second quarter, setting the tone for LA’s performance.
Despite trailing significantly in the final stretch, Denver managed to close the gap, narrowing the margin to just five points in the final minute. However, their comeback attempt fell short. Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 25 points, accompanied by 21 from Jamal Murray and 19 from Aaron Gordon.
With the series now tied, Game 7 is set to return to Denver on Saturday, with tip-off scheduled for 5:30 p.m. MST. Both teams will be looking to secure a spot in the next round of the playoffs in what promises to be an exhilarating showdown.
