Jokic, Gordon fuel Nuggets’ comeback to edge Clippers for Game 1 win in overtime
The Nuggets roared back from a 15-point first-half deficit to power past the Clippers in overtime Saturday in the opener of their playoff series.
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, left, looks to pass the ball as Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden, right, defends in the first half of Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic scored 29 points and Aaron Gordon added 25, including a pair of free throws with 12 seconds left, and the Denver Nuggets roared back from a 15-point first-half deficit to power past the Los Angeles Clippers 112-110 in overtime Saturday in the opener of their Western Conference playoff series.
Jamal Murray added 21 points, nine boards and seven assists for the fourth-seeded Nuggets, who improved to 4-0 under interim coach David Adelman, Michael Malone’s replacement.
The No. 5 seed Clippers’ loss was their first since March 30 at Cleveland. They rolled into the playoffs having won 18 of 21, including their last eight, and they jumped out to an early lead that held until the final minutes of regulation.
Game 2 is Monday night at Ball Arena.
How did the Nuggets seal their comeback win?
Russell Westbrook came up big at the end of both regulation — with an uncontested corner 3 for a 98-96 Denver lead — and again in overtime when he knocked the inbounds pass away from — and off of — James Harden with 9.6 seconds left and Denver clinging to a 3-point lead.
Jokic was fouled on the ensuing inbounds play and his two free throws made it 112-107 before Norman Powell’s buzzer 3-pointer.
The game was tied at 98 at the end of regulation.
After Westbrook’s 3-pointer from the left corner, Harden responded with a floater to tie it and the Nuggets couldn’t get off a shot in the final 18 seconds.
In overtime, the Nuggets never trailed.
Jokic had 12 assists and finished one rebound shy of a triple-double. Harden led the Clippers with 32 points. Kawhi Leonard added 27 and Ivica Zubac had 21.
These teams last met in the playoffs in 2020 at the Walt Disney World in the pandemic bubble, when the Nuggets overcame a 3-1 deficit to beat the Clippers.
Related
Valley Suns schedule for 2026-27 season released
Bickley: Arizona sports need to find their way out of the yuck
Tyrese Haliburton says he wanted to be drafted by Suns in 2020
Nuggets trade Peyton Watson to Cavaliers in latest Western Conference offseason move
Suns, Mercury unveil plan for largest outdoor screen for NBA, WNBA arena
Adam Silver has an NBA owner problem
Comments
8 Comments
Kellan 1-1 now. McDaniel and Naz Reid came back down to Earth and had their normal games. Luka Doncic just shy of a triple double of 31/12/9.
Nico Harrison's legacy will forever be that of the idiot who gave away a 26 year old Luka Doncic who has been named a 1st team All-NBA in five consecutive seasons.
Former Suns combo guard Ty Jerome named one of the three finalists for Sixth Man of the Year.
Detroit's Bickerstaff, Cleveland's Atkinson and Houston's Udoka are up for Coach of the Year. Must have angered Mark Daigneault whose team took it out on the Grizzlies by blowing them out by 51. Paying Isaiah Hartenstein $30 million per season for two more season has really paid-off. Daigneault going with a twin towers of Hartenstein and Holmgren with the 6'-8" 250# Jaylin Williams backing them. Thunder no longer a small team.
Ivica Zubac made the final three for Most Improved Player.
Jaden McDaniel shot 11 of 13 for 25 points. Will not happen again in this series.
Naz Reid replaced Gobert and shot 6 of 9 from three.
Those two won the game for the Wolves. Naz Reid can play ball but 8 of 12 overall including the 6 of 9 from three cannot be counted on every game. If they could he should be starting over Gobert.