In a do-or-die Game 6 at the Intuit Dome, James Harden and the Los Angeles Clippers delivered a gritty 111-105 win over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night, forcing a decisive Game 7 in their first-round NBA playoff series. Harden, bouncing back from a criticized Game 5, led the way with 28 points and eight assists, while Kawhi Leonard added 27 points and 10 rebounds to keep the Clippers’ season alive.
Facing elimination, the Clippers responded to coach Tyronn Lue’s pre-game check-ins with a tenacious effort, particularly on defense. They stifled three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who scored 20 of his 25 points in the first half and was held scoreless for 11 minutes in the third quarter, shooting just 2-for-9 in the second half. Ivica Zubac and Nicolas Batum were instrumental in containing the Nuggets’ star. “I give our guys credit for just staying with it,” Lue said. “It’s about being a team and whatever it takes to win.”
Norman Powell chipped in 24 points, including a clutch 3-pointer with 1:47 left to halt a late 11-2 Nuggets run that had cut the Clippers’ 15-point lead to 107-101. Despite scoring just one field goal in the final 5:57, Los Angeles sealed the win with lockdown defense, highlighted by Zubac’s block on Jokic with 24 seconds remaining.
For Denver, Jamal Murray led with 21 points, but the Nuggets faltered in a potential series-clincher for the fourth time in five tries since their 2023 title. “They played with a lot more desperation,” Murray admitted. The Nuggets, who haven’t won a Game 7 since ousting the Clippers in 2020, now face a must-win at home.
Game 7 is set for Saturday in Denver, and Harden is ready: “We didn’t want to go home. We’ve got one more game left.” Can the Clippers pull off the upset, or will the Nuggets reclaim their championship form? Stay locked in with BuzzSport.de for all the playoff action!
