The first Game 7 of the 2025 NBA playoffs is upon us.
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Denver Nuggets 111-105 in Game 6 on Thursday to force a decisive Game 7 on Saturday. The Clippers led by as many as 15 points at home at the Intuit Dome, but the Nuggets went on a 15-5 run in the fourth quarter to come within five points with 58.1 seconds remaining. Denver wasn’t able to pull it off and missed out on an opportunity to close out the series. Now it’s anyone’s game.
James Harden led the way for the Clippers with 28 points, eight assists and six rebounds. Kawhi Leonard added 27 points and 10 rebounds, while Norman Powell had 21 points and three rebounds.
Nikola Jokic finished with 25 points, eight assists and seven rebounds for Denver. Jamal Murray added 21 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
The Nuggets are 4-4 all-time in Game 7s, while the Clippers are 4-5. However, the Nuggets have had slightly better luck recently and have won two of their past three Game 7s, while the Clippers have lost three of their past four. The rested Oklahoma City Thunder await the winner of this series after sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies.
Catch up on all the highlights from Game 6:
End of 3Q: Clippers 90, Nuggets 79
The Clippers began to pull away in the third quarter, building a lead as large as 15 against the Nuggets. L.A. managed to outscore the Nuggets 32-22. James Harden had 23 points and Kawhi Leonard had 22 points through three quarters. Norman Powell provided a spark with 11 of his 19 points in the third. Nikola Jokic was limited to just three points in the quarter. He had 20 points for the Nuggets in the first half.