Nuggets Shock Clippers in Thrilling Finish to Secure Spot in Conference Semi-Finals
After a grueling seven-game dance that had fans on the edge, the Denver Nuggets flexed their muscle and put the Los Angeles Clippers away with a decisive 120-101 win on Saturday night. The final showdown, staged in Denver, saw the Nuggets pull away with a powerhouse third quarter that turned what was an 11-point halftime lead into a commanding blowout. It’s no surprise the 2023 champs rolled six players into doubledigits, with Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun flashing buckets while Nikola Jokic came oh-so-close to another triple-double, showcasing why he’s the heart and soul of this squad. Now, all eyes turn to their next clash against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, a matchup that promises fireworks starting Monday. And while Kawhi Leonard gave the Clippers his all, James Harden just couldn’t find his groove, marking another tough first-round exit for LA. If you want the full scoop on the Nuggets’ path and what lies ahead in these playoffs, LEARN MORE.
The series went to game seven, with the decider being played in Denver, and the hosts dominated to reach the Conference semi-finals.The Nuggets are the fourth seed in the Western Conference and will next face top seeds, the Oklahoma City Thunder, who host game one on Monday.Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic finished two assists shy of a triple-double, claiming 16 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists along with three steals.Denver used a big third quarter to clinch victory over the Clippers, stretching their lead from 11 points up at half-time, to 93-66.”Everybody who plays needs to contribute something – everybody did that.”The Golden State Warriors visit the Houston Rockets to decide the final Conference semi-final spot on Sunday, while the Indiana Pacers hit the road to begin their semi-final series with the Cleveland Cavaliers.Kawhi Leonard led Los Angeles with 22 points but James Harden, who had 13 assists, was held to seven points as the Clippers lost in the first round of the play-offs for the third straight season.The Nuggets had six players reach double figures, with Aaron Gordon (22 points) and Christian Braun (21) leading the way for the 2023 champions, while Russell Westbrook added 16 points off the bench.”In the play-offs, we know that everybody needs to step up,” said the 30-year-old Serbian centre.Getty Images
Ben Collins
BBC Sport journalist
4 hours ago
The Denver Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Clippers 120-101 on Saturday to seal their passage from the first round of the NBA play-offs.
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