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Nuggets vs Clippers Game Preview: Denver Senses the Finish Line
Just one week ago, the Denver Nuggets looked shaky—if not overwhelmed—after a 34-point loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 3 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series.
Now, they’ve flipped the narrative completely.
Riding back-to-back wins—including Jamal Murray’s monster 43-point night in Game 5—Denver enters Game 6 on Thursday night in Inglewood, Calif., with a 3-2 series lead and a chance to end the Clippers’ season.
It’s closing time for the defending champs.
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Jamal Murray’s Takeover in Game 5
There’s hot. Then there’s Jamal Murray-hot.
Murray turned Ball Arena into his own shooting gallery Tuesday night, drilling eight 3-pointers and finishing with 43 points on 17-of-26 shooting. He added seven assists, five rebounds, and three steals in a performance that energized the entire Nuggets bench.
“It’s nice to have these nights where it’s his show,” said interim coach David Adelman. “We needed it.”
Murray now holds the franchise record with six career 40-point playoff games, further cementing his reputation as a postseason performer.
As teammate Russell Westbrook put it: “When he’s got that swagger… we’re tough to beat.”
Jokic Quiet but Still Crucial
While Nikola Jokic had a subdued scoring night (13 points on 4-of-13 shooting), the three-time MVP still made his presence felt with 12 assists and 10 rebounds, tallying his 21st career playoff triple-double.
He didn’t need to dominate offensively—Murray had that covered—but his ability to manipulate the Clippers’ defense opened up countless opportunities.
“Joker” continues to be the centerpiece of Denver’s ball movement and spacing, even when he isn’t stuffing the scoring column.
Find deeper team stats and analysis at the NBA team pages.
Clippers on the Brink—Again
The Clippers are on the verge of another first-round flameout, which would mark their third consecutive early playoff exit.
In Game 5, Ivica Zubac (27 points) and Kawhi Leonard (20 points, 11 assists, nine rebounds) delivered solid performances—but they weren’t enough to overcome Denver’s offensive barrage.
Now, the pressure is on James Harden, who has faded in the past two games. After averaging 20 points across the first three contests, Harden has dropped to 13 points per game in the last two, shooting just 3-of-9 in Game 5.
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue admitted Denver has done a good job smothering Harden and vowed to make adjustments.
“I’ve got to do a better job of finding ways to get him open and get him space,” Lue said.
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Kawhi Keeps Producing, But Needs Help
If there’s one constant for the Clippers, it’s Kawhi Leonard. The two-time Finals MVP has scored at least 20 points in every game of the series and is averaging 25.2 PPG.
Including the regular season, Leonard has now scored 20+ in 20 straight games, but even he knows that individual scoring isn’t enough.
“It’s one possession at a time,” Leonard said. “Start the game strong, stay poised, limit mistakes.”
His leadership will be critical as the Clippers try to force a Game 7 on Saturday in Denver.
Explore playoff projections and top scorers via the NBA picks section.
What Denver Must Do to Finish It
The Nuggets know better than anyone that closing out a series on the road is no cakewalk. But with momentum on their side and Murray surging, this is their chance to avoid a Game 7 showdown.
Jokic doesn’t need to be a 30-point scorer—but he must continue orchestrating the offense while players like Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope hit their open looks.
And defensively? Denver needs to keep pressuring Harden, limiting second-chance opportunities, and playing disciplined basketball.
As Murray noted, “Game 6 is one of the hardest ones. That team is fighting for their life. We’ve got to bring it for all 48 minutes.”
What the Clippers Need to Change
Los Angeles needs a recharged James Harden more than anything.
If Lue can create better spacing and shift the offense to get Harden open off the ball, the Clippers might find the balance they’ve lacked the past two games. Role players like Norman Powell and Terance Mann must also deliver consistent production.
And perhaps most importantly, they must keep Murray from exploding again.
If they don’t adjust their perimeter defense, the Nuggets may be celebrating in Crypto.com Arena by the final buzzer.
Series Snapshot: Nuggets vs Clippers
| Category | Denver Nuggets | LA Clippers |
|---|---|---|
| Series Score | Leads 3-2 | Trails 2-3 |
| Top Scorer (G5) | Jamal Murray – 43 pts | Ivica Zubac – 27 pts |
| Jokic’s Stats (G5) | 13 pts, 12 ast, 10 reb | Leonard – 20 pts, 11 ast |
| Harden (Last 2 Games) | 13.0 PPG | Needs boost |
| MVPs on Roster | Jokic (3x MVP) | Leonard (2x Finals MVP) |
Key Players to Watch
Jamal Murray (DEN) – Coming off his sixth 40-point playoff game, Murray is the X-factor. Can he stay hot?
Nikola Jokic (DEN) – Even on off nights, Jokic makes an impact. Another triple-double wouldn’t be surprising.
Kawhi Leonard (LAC) – Always efficient and dangerous. If he catches fire early, the Clippers stay alive.
James Harden (LAC) – He’s been quiet lately. The Clippers need a big bounce-back to have a shot.
FAQs
When is Nuggets vs Clippers Game 6?
Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
What’s the series score?
Denver leads the series 3-2 in this best-of-seven.
Who had the big performance in Game 5?
Jamal Murray scored 43 points, hitting 8-of-11 from three-point range.
Can the Clippers force a Game 7?
Yes, with a win at home Thursday, Game 7 would be Saturday in Denver.
Where can I get expert picks and predictions?
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