Mon May 05 01:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Nuggets Demolish Clippers in Game 7 Blowout, Advance to Face Thunder

**Denver, CO –** The Denver Nuggets emphatically erased their Game 7 demons, routing the Los Angeles Clippers 120-101 in a decisive victory Saturday night. The win, the franchise’s largest margin of victory in a win-or-go-home game, sends Denver to the second round to face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.

Nikola Jokic, while contributing a solid 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, was overshadowed by his teammates’ stellar performance. Aaron Gordon led the scoring with 22 points, followed by Christian Braun’s 21. Jamal Murray and Russell Westbrook each added 16, and Michael Porter Jr. chipped in 15. This balanced scoring attack proved too much for the Clippers to handle.

Braun’s exceptional defense on James Harden, limiting him to just 7 points on 2-of-8 shooting, was a key factor in the Nuggets’ dominance. Braun credited his teammates and coaching staff for their support in this defensive effort.

The Nuggets’ surge began in the second and third quarters, where they outscored the Clippers 72-40. A decisive 17-0 run in the third quarter effectively sealed the game. Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 22 points, but the team struggled to keep pace with Denver’s offensive firepower and transition game.

Despite a strong start for the Clippers, taking an early lead, the Nuggets’ overwhelming performance left even the boisterous contingent of Clippers fans flown in by owner Steve Ballmer stunned. The win marks a significant turnaround for Denver, who last year suffered a devastating Game 7 collapse against Minnesota.

Interim coach David Adelman acknowledged the victory, but quickly shifted focus to the upcoming series against the heavily favored Thunder, a team that finished with an NBA-best record. While the teams split their season series 2-2, the Nuggets’ Game 7 performance suggests a potentially competitive second-round matchup.

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