The Los Angeles Clippers evened their first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a hard-fought 105-102 victory on Monday night, April 21st, 2025, at the Ball Arena in Denver. Kawhi Leonard spearheaded the Clippers' triumph with a phenomenal 39-point performance, shooting an impressive 15-of-19 from the field. This win snapped a potential upset and shifted the momentum significantly in a series that looked set to go Denver's way after Game 1.
Leonard's dominance wasn't confined to scoring. He showcased his all-around excellence, securing key steals, including one from Nikola Jokic late in the fourth quarter with 37 seconds remaining. Although Harden missed the subsequent shot, the crucial steal proved pivotal in maintaining the Clippers' slender lead. The Clippers' resurgence was further emphasized by their ability to overcome their Game 1 overtime loss, exhibiting their resilience by avoiding consecutive defeats for the first time since March 2-4 - a remarkable streak of 23 games. This also marked the first loss for David Adelman since taking over coaching duties from Michael Malone.
Despite Nikola Jokic recording his 19th career playoff triple-double, the Nuggets' efforts were ultimately thwarted by the Clippers' defense and Leonard's offensive explosion. Jokic's performance, while impressive, was marred by seven uncharacteristic turnovers and four missed free throws. The Nuggets' 20 total turnovers and missed free throws proved to be costly mistakes. Michael Porter Jr. contributed 15 points and 15 rebounds, but it proved insufficient against Leonard's exceptional display. The Nuggets' fast break success was significantly limited to the first quarter, despite the initial strong start and scoring 14 points to the Clippers' 3. After the first quarter, the Clippers flipped the tables and finished with a total of 18 points from fast breaks, against the Nuggets' total of 14.
The game was rife with intensity, with technical fouls called on Norman Powell, Kris Dunn (Clippers), and Christian Braun (Nuggets). One technical on the Clippers resulted in a free throw for the Nuggets, successfully converted by Jamal Murray. The final seconds were a nail-biter, with Jokic missing a three-pointer in the closing seconds, sealing the Clippers' victory. The Clippers' ability to win this game speaks to their excellent teamwork, strategic adjustments, and Leonard's elite talent.
The series now shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Thursday, April 24th, 2025. The Clippers will look to build on their momentum, while the Nuggets must address their turnover issues and find ways to contain Leonard’s explosive scoring if they wish to regain control of the series. The anticipation for the next clash is palpable, given the sheer intensity and high stakes of this tightly contested first-round series.
