In a shocking Game 7 upset, the Denver Nuggets knocked out the heavily favored LA Clippers in the second round of the NBA playoffs. It made their unexpectedly strong performance all the more surprising considering they’d just fired head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth. The Nuggets had a balanced attack, with six players scoring in double figures, led by Aaron Gordon’s 22 points. This victory marked a critical moment for the franchise, which won the NBA championship in 2023 but faced scrutiny after a lackluster postseason.
That game played out with plenty of drama, especially during the second quarter. The Nuggets completely erupted offensively, pouring in 37 points in this stretch. Aaron Gordon stepped up big time off the bench, scoring eight points of his 16 total in the second quarter. It was Russell Westbrook’s all-around play that turned out to be crucial for the Clippers’ win on this night. He scored 10 of his 16 points in this decisive quarter, notably making two big three-point shots. Westbrook did his part too, dishing five dimes, grabbing five boards and swiping five steals in only 27 minutes of action.
The Clippers came into this game as the league’s most in form team. They powered their momentum with an 18-3 run through their final 21 regular season games. With stars Kawhi Leonard and James Harden fully healthy and performing at peak levels, expectations were high for a competitive game. Regardless, the Nuggets’ wide distribution of scoring and ball movement ultimately made the difference in helping them steal the game.
Nikola Jokic, the foundation of the Nuggets’ success, was a key ingredient to their victory over the course of the game. After the sudden coaching carousel that ensued, Jokic opened up about those changes and what they created.
“If we don’t make the changes, there’s no way we’re even in a Game 7,” – Nuggets executive
Addressing the coaching change after Denver won the West, Jokic admitted that ownership wanted to change the team’s vibe and mentality.
“I think the owner… wanted to change something, to change the energy, and probably he did,” – Jokic
Without a permanent head coach for the shutdown, David Adelman was appointed interim coach after the dismissal of Malone. He did exceedingly well shepherding the team through this intense pressure cooker situation. As Jokic pointed out, Adelman received “the result he was looking for,” showcasing his impressive capacity to deliver in tough situations.
Westbrook’s remarks remind us of his fierce competitive spirit—not just to thrive in a matchup as the swap occurred across the field.
“Damn, that’s solid. I guess it didn’t work out so well for them,” – Russell Westbrook
He was an omnivorous reader and felt no limit to his imagination. He seemed prepared to counter defensive overloads focused on shutting him down in the series.
“But one thing that nobody knows is that I work my ass off. So regardless of what anybody does, I’m always prepared and I’ll be prepared for anything because I prepare myself for everything,” – Russell Westbrook
Christian Braun, an important cog in the Nuggets machine, post-mortemmed the shoulda-couldas from last year. He reiterated his commitment to be the difference-maker in the biggest moments this season.
“Last year, obviously the team had a missed opportunity, but I felt like we should have won,” – Christian Braun
After recent turmoil within the organization, the teamwork evident on Denver’s roster is an example of their resistance around adversity. With contributions from multiple players and a new coaching approach, the Nuggets demonstrated their determination to advance deeper into the playoffs.
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