The Denver Nuggets opened their Western Conference playoff series with a dramatic 112-110 overtime victory against the LA Clippers on Thursday night. The Nuggets were down by as much as 15 in the first half. They stormed back with dominant outings from Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon, proving their fortitude.
Nikola Jokic powered the offense with a brilliant 29-point performance. Meanwhile, Aaron Gordon helped power the Nuggets’ stunning second-half comeback from a 15-point deficit with 25 points. The Clippers jumped out early, building a 15-point advantage in the first half. As a result, they maintained their competitive edge for the bulk of the game. As the clock ticked down, the tables turned quickly and decisively in favor of the Nuggets.
Regulation concluded in a deadlock at 98, teeing up an extra-highly exciting sudden death overtime period. Russell Westbrook was the main reason this game turned out the way it did. He capped that off by draining an uncontested corner three-pointer, putting Denver ahead 98-96 with just seconds left in regulation. This Westbrook moment was truly spectacular! He swished his first career go-ahead three-pointer in the last 30 seconds of a playoff game.
The game was very important. It brought everyone back to the last playoff matchup back in 2020 when the Nuggets infamously rallied from a 3-1 series deficit to knock out their LA rivals, the Clippers. The addition of this matchup not only rekindled long-ago rivalries, but served to raise the intensity level in the active playoff series even higher. James Harden shined in his first game with the Clippers, putting up 32 points. They dropped a painful nail-biter, marking their first loss since March 30 vs Cleveland.
The Nuggets capped a sharp 4-0 run under interim coach David Adelman. They displayed good patient strategy and excellent teamwork, pushing through the game’s tougher patches with confidence. The win emphasized the fight of both teams, foreshadowing a compelling continuation of their Eastern Conference playoff series.
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