Kawhi Leonard finishes with a 21-point double-double and LA secures a 2-1 series lead over Denver.
LOS ANGELES — The first two games of this first-round series were suspenseful and gripping and dropped the impression that Clippers vs. Nuggets would be more entertaining and outlast any other in these playoffs.
And then the Clippers changed the discussion Thursday suddenly and perhaps … permanently?
It’s always tricky to measure a series based on one night, yet the latest between these teams was the lopsided contest that nobody saw coming. Games 1 and 2 were decided by five points. Game 3 was 34 points, a runaway almost from the jump ball.
The Clippers were superior in almost every aspect, using a balance of scoring and stops to hand the Nuggets a decisive defeat. How devastating it was will be determined Saturday (6 ET, TNT) when the Nuggets try to respond.
“It doesn’t matter what your adjustments are if you’re not going to meet the challenge,” said Nuggets interim coach David Adelman. “We got embarrassed today, but the bottom line is it’s just one game.”
Here are five takeaways from the Clippers’ 117-83 victory and where this series stands with LA up 2-1:
1. Nikola Jokić appears worn down, frustrated
It has been a supreme season by Jokić, perhaps the best ever by a three-time Kia MVP. It was good enough to put him in contention for a fourth. But it doesn’t appear to be enough to rescue the Nuggets’ season.
That is still to be determined. But there are a pair of red warning lights blaring right now — his teammates once again aren’t rising anywhere near his level, and Jokić might finally be weary of it all.
He just dropped maybe the most harmless triple-double of his career: 23-13-13 in a 34-point loss doesn’t exactly scream loudly. His impact was virtually non-existent because the Nuggets spent much of the night digging out from a big deficit.
He played 46 minutes in Game 1 and every minute of the second half of Game 2. Whenever he took a breather on Thursday, the Clippers took advantage of him on the bench (following the example of many Nuggets’ opponents in that situation).
It has been a long season for Jokić, who was animated during one second-half timeout while sitting with his teammates. The minutes and the frustration are adding up.
2. Zubac giving Jokić issues, too
Jokić is widely regarded as the best player in basketball and will either win or finish second in the MVP vote. But on Thursday, there were scattered moments when he wasn’t the best center on the floor.
That’s high praise for Ivica Zubac, one of three finalists for the Kia Most Improved Player award. He’s no longer just a pick-setting screen-and-roller. The Clippers are calling his number on multiple trips down the floor, and even more shockingly, he’s justifying it.
There was a moment on Thursday when Zubac demanded a double-team from Denver. He took 12 shots, made eight. Plus, this Game 3 revelation must be emphasized: when the difference between Zubac and Jokić is four points and four rebounds, advantage Zubac and advantage, Clippers.
3. Clippers may be the league’s hottest team
The Clippers race out to a 35-28 first-quarter lead on the strength of 9 3-pointers, putting the Nuggets on their heels early.
They have competition for that crown with the Boston Celtics and perhaps the Oklahoma City Thunder. Yet make no mistake, the Clippers are peaking at the right time and are showing few signs of pumping the brakes.
One reason is that they had to fight through the competitive West to avoid the SoFi Play-In Tournament.
With six teams within a few games of one another in the season’s final month, none could afford a losing streak. The Clippers emerged hungrier than anyone, winning 18 of their last 21 games, and now, through three playoff games, it’s 20 of 24.
Their only losses were to the New Orleans Pelicans, the West-leading Thunder (by two), the East-leading Cleveland Cavaliers (by five) and the Nuggets. They’re playing their best basketball when it matters most.
This is being made possible by Kawhi Leonard (21 points, 11 rebounds in Game 3), healthy and frisky for once. James Harden, whose floor direction and passing are sharp, scored all 20 of his points on Thursday in the first half. That set the tone and put the Nuggets on their heels.
Kris Dunn’s defense is helpful in this series and Norman Powell has recovered from a midseason injury and scored 20 points in Game 3.
“This is probably one of the coolest teams because everyone understands who everyone is,” Harden said. “When you think about an NBA team, this is what you envision.”
Ty Lue’s coaching is keeping this team motivated and fresh. The Clippers may not be the best team in the league, but sometimes the hottest team travels further than expected. Plus, the Clippers aren’t taking their hot-ness — or the Nuggets — for granted.
“We got to start preparing for Game 4 now,” Harden said. “We know what we’re dealing with.”
4. Sad (and short) return for Westbrook
He played his two previous seasons with the Clippers and in a new arena just a few miles from where he was born and raised. But these fairytale stories don’t always materialize, and it didn’t for Russell Westbrook.
The Clippers had no use for him, and he signed last summer with Denver.
Also, there would be no homecoming payback on Thursday.
In the pregame warmups, he rolled his left foot while going half-speed through a drill. He left the floor, and while he checked into the game, his night was over after nine minutes, finished by left foot inflammation.
It has been that kind of season for Westbrook, whose erratic performances swing from thrilling to forgettable each game (depending on the last shot he took). Speaking of that, with a sore foot limiting his quickness in Game 3, Westbrook settled for jumpers. He took five shots (all of which were 3-pointers) as the Clippers once again left him open. He missed four.
His availability from here is a major issue for the Nuggets, if only because their bench remains problematic. That’s why Calvin Booth was dismissed as general manager a few weeks ago — he did little to upgrade the reserves.
Searching to revive his career, Westbrook came cheap and somewhat desperate to the Nuggets last summer. Unless he heals up and the Nuggets tie this series up, his stay in Denver might be on the clock.
5. Intuit was into it
The Clippers hosted their first playoff game in their splashy, hi-tech billion-dollar arena and there were signs of Intuit Dome being a true home-court advantage … just when the Clippers need it most.
“It was just how we expected it to be,” Harden said.
Celebrities were in the good seats and loud fans were in the choice seats — famously known as “The Wall.” That section is directly behind the visitor’s basket and designed to be a boisterous distraction whenever possible.
Some of the fans along “The Wall” wore horse hats, cleverly aware that Jokić is passionate about horses and perhaps it could send his free throws astray (it didn’t). More than that, they supplied the college-like atmosphere that Clippers owner Steve Ballmer wanted when he built the place.
The Clippers have given their fans who sit in “The Wall” area behind the basket these fabric horse hats to wear when Nikola Jokic is shooting free throws. pic.twitter.com/iGgn5Vzumh
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) April 25, 2025
“Our fans were unbelievable tonight,” Lue said. “To be able to play our first playoff game at Intuit Dome it was very exciting. They showed up and showed out.”
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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.
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