- Clippers edged Nuggets to level the playoff series at 1–1
- Leonard led LA with 39 points while Jokic recorded a triple-double
- The series shift to Los Angeles for Game 3 on April 25
LA Clippers came away with a 105:102 victory from their visit to the Denver Nuggets in a Western Conference first-round NBA playoff clash. The two teams delivered another nail-biting encounter, with the Clippers managing to grab the win and level the series against the 2022/23 champions.
The always-entertaining meetings between the fourth and fifth seeds of the regular season did not disappoint once again. At Ball Arena in Denver, the lead changed hands 18 times and the game saw 12 ties, with the largest margin being just 8 points when the hosts led 31:23 at the end of the first quarter.
Kawhi Leonard drops 39 PTS, 5 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 79 FG% as the Clippers get the 105-102 WIN over the Nuggets and TIE THE SERIES 🔥
THE KLAW IS HERE 🤖 pic.twitter.com/03u6S7bSWO
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) April 22, 2025
The Nuggets started stronger, capitalising on the opponent’s mistakes, which translated into 14 fast-break points. Only Kawhi Leonard’s 12 points kept the visitors in the game, who trailed 25:31 after 12 minutes. The Clippers attacked as soon as Nikola Jokic went to the bench, quickly drawing level early in the second period, and for the rest of the quarter the score hovered within a possession or two. A late 11:2 run and a Leonard three at the buzzer swung momentum toward the visitors, who led 55:52 at the half.
After the break, nothing could separate the teams. Verbal and physical tension escalated following a clash between Norman Powell and Jamal Murray. The Clippers gained their biggest lead at 78:71 late in the third quarter, but a personal 8-point burst from Jokic first cut the gap to 76:78, then gave Denver a slim lead early in a chaotic final period, 79:78. In the last 12 minutes, both teams turned up the pace, with 8 more lead changes and 4 ties. For the Nuggets, Russell Westbrook had a strong outing off the bench, Jokic completed a triple-double, while Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray showed relentless hustle. For the Clippers, the ever-present Leonard continued to shine, Powell found his shooting rhythm, Ivica Zubac remained reliable, and Kris Dunn impressed on defence. In the end, the Clippers reduced their mistakes, and Leonard sealed the outcome with a clutch basket with 55 seconds left to make it 105:102.
Kawhi Leonard topped all scorers with 39 points, shooting 79% from the field and 100% from the free-throw line, while Ivica Zubac added a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds. For the Denver Nuggets, Nikola Jokic posted 26 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists, and Jamal Murray contributed 23 points.
Game 3 between the Clippers and Nuggets will be held in Los Angeles on April 25, Friday.