James Harden Leads Clippers to Game 7 Victory Over Nuggets/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ James Harden scored 28 points as the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Denver Nuggets 111-105 to force a decisive Game 7 in their first-round playoff series. Kawhi Leonard added 27 points, and Norman Powell contributed 24 in a gritty effort at the Intuit Dome. The Clippers overcame a dominant first half from Nikola Jokic with defense and clutch shooting down the stretch.
James Harden Leads Clippers to Game 7 Victory: Quick Looks
- Harden scored 28 points with eight assists in Game 6
- Leonard added 27 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists
- Clippers even series 3-3 with 111-105 win over Nuggets
- Jokic held to 5 second-half points after 20 in first half
- Game 7 set for Saturday in Denver
- Nuggets failed to close out series for fourth time in two years
- Clippers’ defense shut down Denver’s comeback late in game
- Norman Powell hit critical 3-pointer with under two minutes left
Deep Look: Harden, Leonard Power Clippers to Game 7 After Hard-Fought Win Over Nuggets
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — With their season hanging in the balance, the Los Angeles Clippers responded with resilience and resolve, defeating the Denver Nuggets 111-105 in Game 6 to force a do-or-die Game 7 in their Western Conference first-round playoff series.
James Harden led the way with 28 points and eight assists, bouncing back after a sluggish Game 5. The 35-year-old guard played with intensity and poise, orchestrating the offense and taking command in crucial moments. Kawhi Leonard, as dependable as ever in high-pressure games, delivered 27 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, forming a dynamic duo that anchored the Clippers’ gritty performance.
Tyronn Lue’s Pre-Game Strategy
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue took the unusual step of calling several players on the team’s off day, checking their mental readiness. “I took a lot of temperatures,” Lue said postgame. “It was about fighting for our playoff lives, and our guys showed up.”
Defense Turns the Tide
After falling behind early to a 20-point first half from Nikola Jokic, the Clippers ramped up the defensive intensity in the second half. Ivica Zubac and Nicolas Batum worked in tandem to contain the Nuggets’ three-time MVP, holding him to just five points in the final 24 minutes and scoreless for a key 11-minute stretch in the third quarter.
Jokic finished with 25 points but shot just 2 of 9 in the second half, visibly frustrated by L.A.’s physical defense.
Powell and the Closing Push
The Clippers led by as much as 15 in the fourth quarter, but Denver launched a late 11-2 run to narrow the margin to six with under two minutes remaining. That’s when Norman Powell, who scored 24 on the night, buried a dagger 3-pointer with 1:47 left — the Clippers’ only field goal in the final 5:57, but one that proved to be decisive.
Los Angeles relied on lockdown defense to secure the win. Russell Westbrook had a pair of layups blocked in the final minutes, and Zubac swatted away Jokic’s late attempt with 24 seconds left to preserve the lead.
Nuggets Struggle in Closeouts
The Game 6 loss continues a troubling trend for the defending champions, who have now lost four of their last five closeout games over the past two seasons. Denver’s inability to finish series when ahead could haunt them as they return to Ball Arena for Game 7 on Saturday.
“They played with more desperation,” said Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, who scored 21 points. “You’ve got to give them credit. They brought it.”
What’s Next: Game 7 in Denver
The Clippers and Nuggets will square off in Game 7 on Saturday in Denver, a venue where the Nuggets have historically played well but have also faltered under pressure in recent postseason runs.
Los Angeles is hoping to reverse the narrative from 2020, when the Nuggets famously ousted them in a Game 7 during the NBA bubble.
“We didn’t want to go home,” Harden said. “One more game. That’s all we wanted.”
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