James Harden delivered 28 points and eight assists as the Los Angeles Clippers outlasted the Denver Nuggets 111-105 on Thursday night to push their first-round series to a winner-take-all Game 7.
Kawhi Leonard contributed 27 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in a critical bounce-back showing at Intuit Dome, where the Clippers regained momentum after dropping two straight.
Norman Powell added 24 points off the bench, including a pivotal three-pointer with 1:47 remaining—the Clippers’ final field goal of the game.
Los Angeles built a 15-point lead midway through the fourth quarter before Denver stormed back with an 11-2 run, but the hosts held firm with key stops down the stretch.
The Nuggets, who led the series 3-2 entering Thursday, failed to close out a playoff series with a lead for the third time in their past four tries dating back to last season.
Nikola Jokic scored 25 points with eight assists and seven rebounds, but was limited to five points in the second half and went 2-for-9 after halftime.
Ivica Zubac and Nicolas Batum executed a disciplined defensive plan on Jokic, who was scoreless for an 11-minute stretch in the third quarter.
Jamal Murray finished with 21 points and eight assists but struggled to find rhythm in the final minutes, missing critical looks as Denver’s late push fell short.
Harden’s performance was a stark contrast from his passive Game 5, as the 35-year-old guard attacked downhill and made plays both as a scorer and facilitator.
Leonard also played with greater physicality after a quiet showing earlier in the series, helping Los Angeles dominate the third quarter 32-22.
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue took the unusual step of calling players on the off day to assess their mental readiness, a move that appeared to energize the group entering the elimination game.
The loss marked Denver’s first missed opportunity to close a series on the road this postseason and underscored their recent struggles in Game 6 situations.
The Nuggets last won a Game 7 in 2020, coincidentally against the Clippers during the bubble playoffs.
Aaron Gordon chipped in 19 points for Denver, while Russell Westbrook scored 14 and grabbed 10 rebounds off the bench.
Los Angeles shot 50 percent from the field and 86.7 percent at the line, while Denver finished at 52.4 percent overall but missed three of nine free throws.
Game 7 is set for Saturday night at Ball Arena, where the Nuggets will try to avoid a second consecutive year of blowing a 3-2 series lead.
The winner will advance to face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Semifinals.
