Thunder’s preferred matchup: Clippers or Nuggets?
For The Hoops crew discuss whether the Thunder would prefer to face the Clippers or Nuggets in the second round of the NBA playoffs
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Clippers managed to force a Game 7 against the Denver Nuggets with a 111-105 victory in Game 6 on Thursday.
The Clippers’ defense managed to keep Nuggets star Nikola Jokić from a triple-double (25 points, eight assists and seven rebounds). Jokic has averaged a triple-double in the series with 25.3 points, 11.8 rebounds and 10.5 assists per game.
James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and Norman Powell led the Clippers’ offense, combining for 79 points.
Nicolas Batum was held in high regard by his coaches and teammates for his efforts on both ends of the floor in Game 6 and could be added to the starting lineup for Game 7. He finished with six points, six assists, five rebounds, three blocked shots and two steals on Thursday.
It will be up to coach Tyronn Lue to consider whether he will check in with his players again, through individual conversations, like he did prior to Game 6.
Lue’s squad has seen different results throughout the series while playing in Denver.
The Clippers split the first two games of the series on the road with the Nuggets. The two games were decided by a combined total of five points. Denver then blew out L.A. 131-115 in Game 5.
Russell Westbrook played a big role in the final minutes of Game 1 as the Nuggets rallied to win in overtime. Westbrook scored 15 points in the game, including three on an uncontested shot in the corner from long range that helped give Denver a lead late in regulation. He also knocked an inbound pass away and off of Harden with 9.6 seconds left to help seal the win in overtime.
Leonard helped the Clippers in Game 2 with a 39-point performance while shooting 15-of-19 from the field; his teammates combined for 26-of-66 shooting from the field.
“We can have the confidence to know that we have won there, but it’s going to be a different game,” Leonard said. “We have to come out aggressive in the first quarter and make sure they don’t get a big lead on us.”
The Clippers are looking to avoid having their season end with a first-round exit for a third consecutive year.
In each of the previous two seasons, Leonard was a non-factor for the Clippers. He played in just two games in each of those first-round series because of injuries.
He started off the 2024-25 season listed as day-to-day after undergoing a knee procedure during the offseason to address swelling. Leonard had expressed during media day in September that he expected to play the season opener, but he missed the first 34 games of the season. The Clippers went 19-15 without him.
He also mentioned during the Clippers’ media day that he was hoping to remain healthy enough to have a run in the playoffs. He’s been able to follow through with that through the first six games.
The team has not reported a single player on the injury report this postseason.
The Nuggets took a lead in the series while dealing with their share of injuries. Westbrook had left foot inflammation and was considered questionable after rolling his ankle before Game 3. He missed Game 4 before rejoining the series.
Michael Porter Jr. has continued to play despite a bad left shoulder. He’s averaged 10.2 points and 5.7 rebounds in 32.8 minutes per game in the series.
When is Game 7 between Clippers and Nuggets?
The Clippers will travel to play the Nuggets in Game 7 at Ball Arena in Denver. The game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on May 3 (TNT).