James Harden delivered when the Los Angeles Clippers needed him most, erupting for 28 points and eight assists to lead the team past the Denver Nuggets 111-105 in Game 6 and force a decisive Game 7. Under heavy scrutiny after a passive Game 5 showing, the 35-year-old Harden turned back the clock with a crafty, aggressive performance that set the tone for a Clippers squad fighting for its playoff survival.Â
Kawhi Leonard matched that energy with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, while Norman Powell provided the clutch shooting late, scoring 24 points and burying the dagger three that helped the Clippers withstand Denver’s furious late rally.
Defensively, L.A. flipped the script in the second half, throwing bodies at Nikola Jokic and making life difficult for the three-time MVP. Jokic scored 20 of his 25 points before halftime and was held to just two field goals on 2-for-9 shooting in the second half, as Ivica Zubac and Nicolas Batum combined for a gritty, physical effort in the paint.Â
The Clippers built a 15-point cushion late in the fourth, but had to withstand a Nuggets surge that trimmed the lead to six before Powell’s big shot with under two minutes remaining. Down the stretch, defense sealed the win: Zubac’s block on Jokic with 24 seconds left symbolized the resilience that head coach Tyronn Lue had called for after back-to-back defeats.
The Clippers, who entered the postseason on a tear with wins in 18 of their final 21 games, rediscovered that form just in time after falling into a 3-2 series hole. As they now head to Denver for a winner-take-all Game 7, the Clippers carry momentum and the hope that their star duo of Harden and Leonard can push them deeper into the postseason. Let’s provide a rating for every Clipper after an exciting Thursday evening.Â
James Harden: A+
Stats: 28 PTS, 6 REB (1 OREB, 5 DREB), 8 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 4 TO, 3 PF, 10-20 FG, 3-8 3PT, 5-5 FT, +2, 47 MIN
This was vintage Harden when his team needed it most, dropping 28 points, eight assists, and applying constant pressure on Denver’s defense. After criticism for Game 5, he responded with poise and aggression, controlling the game’s tempo and setting the tone for L.A.’s survival.
Kawhi Leonard: A+
Stats: 27 PTS, 10 REB (4 OREB, 6 DREB), 5 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 0 PF, 11-22 FG, 2-8 3PT, 3-4 FT, +14, 39 MIN
Leonard delivered a true two-way star performance, tallying 27 points and 10 rebounds while staying mistake-free with zero fouls and just one turnover. His physicality and composure anchored the Clippers on both ends during critical stretches.
Norman Powell: A+
Stats: 24 PTS, 3 REB (0 OREB, 3 DREB), 1 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 0 PF, 9-15 FG, 2-6 3PT, 4-4 FT, +1, 39 MIN
Powell was the X-factor, erupting for 24 points and providing the late-game dagger that stopped Denver’s rally cold. His efficiency (9-for-15 shooting) and fearless attacking mentality gave the Clippers the offensive spark they needed off the bench.
Ivica Zubac: B
Stats: 10 PTS, 6 REB (2 OREB, 4 DREB), 0 AST, 1 STL, 3 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF, 5-6 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -3, 33 MIN
Zubac’s numbers were solid (10 points, six boards), but his defensive effort against Jokic in the second half, capped by a late block, was game-changing. His presence in the paint helped swing momentum, even if he finished with a minus-3 in the box score.
Nicolas Batum: B
Stats: 6 PTS, 5 REB (0 OREB, 5 DREB), 6 AST, 2 STL, 3 BLK, 0 TO, 3 PF, 2-5 FG, 2-5 3PT, 0-0 FT, +11, 34 MIN
Batum did a little bit of everything, from hitting timely threes to dishing out six assists and swatting away three shots. His +11 plus-minus reflected his calming, glue-guy impact, even if his scoring was modest.
Derrick Jones Jr.: C+
Stats: 8 PTS, 2 REB (0 OREB, 2 DREB), 1 AST, 1 STL, 2 BLK, 0 TO, 2 PF, 3-8 FG, 2-6 3PT, 0-0 FT, +2, 18 MIN
Jones brought athleticism and defensive energy, with two blocks and a couple of big threes, but his shot selection (3-for-8) and quiet rebounding line limited his overall impact. A solid but unspectacular outing.
Bogdan Bogdanovic: C+
Stats: 6 PTS, 3 REB (2 OREB, 1 DREB), 0 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 4 PF, 2-6 FG, 1-3 3PT, 1-2 FT, +8, 19 MIN
Bogdanovic hit a few timely shots and grabbed a couple of offensive boards, but he battled foul trouble and was inconsistent on defense. His +8 showed he helped during his minutes, but he played a supporting role rather than a starring one.
Kris Dunn: N/A
Stats: 2 PTS, 0 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 1-4 FG, 0-3 3PT, 0-0 FT, -5, 10 MIN
Dunn only logged 10 minutes and struggled with his shot (1-for-4), though he handed out two assists. His brief run didn’t sway the outcome, and L.A. leaned heavily on its stars down the stretch.
