James Harden scored 28 points and dished out eight assists, and Kawhi Leonard added 27 points as the Los Angeles Clippers held off the Denver Nuggets 111-105 on Thursday night to force a Game 7 in their first-round playoff series.
ANOTHER ONE FOR UNO 👌
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) May 2, 2025
James Harden has 28 points! pic.twitter.com/zq0daWucC8
The Clippers, facing elimination, responded with a gritty team effort at Intuit Dome. Norman Powell chipped in 24 points off the bench, and Los Angeles tightened up defensively in the second half, holding Nikola Jokic to just five points after halftime.
“I give our guys credit for just staying with it,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “It’s about being a team and doing whatever it takes to win.”
Jokic scored 20 of his 25 points in the first half but was held in check after the break by Ivica Zubac and Nicolas Batum, who combined to frustrate the three-time MVP. Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 21 points.
“They played with a lot more desperation,” Murray said. “You've got to give them credit. They brought it.”
Harden, who was criticized for a quiet Game 5, came out aggressive and controlled the pace throughout. Leonard added 10 rebounds and five assists in a strong all-around performance. Los Angeles built a 15-point lead with under six minutes left before Denver made a late push.
The Nuggets cut the lead to 107-101 with 1:47 to play, but Powell buried a clutch three — the Clippers’ only field goal in the final 5:57. The defense held from there, with Zubac blocking a Jokic layup attempt in the final seconds.
Denver has lost four of its last five chances to close out a series since its 2023 title run and hasn’t won a Game 7 since 2020—against the Clippers.
“We didn’t want to go home,” Harden said. “One more game left.”
Game 7 is set for Saturday in Denver.
