LOS ANGELES — Facing elimination and the end of another postseason run, the Los Angeles Clippers showed resilience, defensive grit, and star power to stay alive in the NBA Playoffs. Behind a vintage performance from James Harden and a strong supporting cast, L.A. defeated the Denver Nuggets 111-105 on Thursday night at Intuit Dome to force a Game 7.

With the Nuggets leading the first-round series 3-2, Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue spent the team’s off day checking in with players individually to gauge their mindset. The response came loud and clear in Game 6.

“I give our guys credit for just staying with it,” Lue said. “They don’t get deflated… I told the guys after the game, it’s about being a team and whatever it takes to win. Those guys totally understood it.”

Harden Responds Under Pressure

After a quiet Game 5 that drew criticism, James Harden delivered when it mattered most. The 35-year-old guard scored 28 points, dished out eight assists, and controlled the tempo with veteran poise. He attacked early and often, taking advantage of defensive mismatches and orchestrating key stretches in the second half.

“It was win or go home, so there were opportunities to be aggressive, and I took them,” Harden said. “We didn’t want to go home. We’ve got one more game left.”

Leonard, Powell Deliver, Defense Steps Up

Kawhi Leonard added 27 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in one of his most complete playoff efforts this season. Norman Powell chipped in 24 points off the bench and hit the biggest shot of the night — a corner 3-pointer with 1:47 left that stopped a late Denver surge.

While the Clippers went without a field goal for nearly six minutes in crunch time, their defense sealed the deal. Ivica Zubac and Nicolas Batum teamed up to slow down three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who scored 20 of his 25 points in the first half but went just 2-for-9 after the break.

Zubac’s block on Jokic with 24 seconds remaining capped a gritty defensive sequence that denied the Nuggets a chance to complete their comeback.

Nuggets Stumble Again in Closeout Spot

Denver, now 1-4 in its last five closeout opportunities dating back to the 2023 postseason, struggled to match the Clippers’ urgency. Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 21 points, while Jokic was neutralized for most of the second half.

“They were quicker to the punch,” Murray said. “They played with a lot more desperation because their backs were against the wall, and you’ve got to give them credit. The whole game, they brought it.”

A familiar scenario now awaits the defending champs. Denver has not won a Game 7 since the 2020 bubble — a series that ironically ended the Clippers’ season. Saturday’s Game 7 at Ball Arena will determine who advances to the Western Conference semifinals.

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Game 6 Final Score:
Clippers 111, Nuggets 105
Series tied 3-3 | Game 7: Saturday in Denver

Key Performers:

• James Harden: 28 pts, 8 ast
• Kawhi Leonard: 27 pts, 10 reb, 5 ast
• Norman Powell: 24 pts
• Nikola Jokic: 25 pts (20 in 1st half), 8 reb
• Jamal Murray: 21 pts

Next Up:
Game 7. All the pressure shifts to Denver. Can the Nuggets respond and protect home court, or will the Clippers complete the comeback?