The Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers reached their Western Conference first-round series to start the 2025 NBA playoffs after two huge developments, and the outcome of this series will likely dictate how those moments are remembered.
The Nuggets had the most drastic change after Denver’s ownership fired both coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth with three games left in the regular season. The Nuggets haven’t lost yet under interim coach David Adelman and Nikola Jokic proved he can win games even with limited help from his supporting cast after pulling off the rare feat of averaging a triple-double over the entire season.
The Clippers were steady throughout this season behind a resurgent James Harden and career years from Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac, but the return of Kawhi Leonard from injury took this team to another level after the NBA All-Star break. Los Angeles and its stingy defense have emerged as outside title threats from the Western Conference, but they’ll have to get past Jokic (and former Clippers teammates Russell Westbrook) to fulfill that promise.
Game 1 of the 2025 NBA playoffs first-round series between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers took overtime to get a result. Here is how it went down with score and highlights:
Nuggets vs. Clippers score
The game tipped off after the Pacers took care of the Milwaukee Bucks, 117-98. This second game of a packed NBA playoff schedule was a close one to the end.
Nuggets 112, Clippers 110 (Final/OT)
Nuggets 98, Clippers 98 (End of Regulation)
Clippers 72, Nuggets 68 (Halftime)
Nuggets escape with overtime win in Game 1
Nikola Jokic had 29 points, 12 assists, and nine rebounds as the Denver Nuggets overcame a 15-point deficit to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 112-110 and take a 1-0 lead in their Western Conference first-round battle.
Game 2 in the best-of-seven series is Monday night.
Russell Westbrook hit a 3-pointer with 23.4 seconds left in regulation to give Denver a two-point lead, but James Harden, who led Los Angeles with 32 points, answered back with a floater in the lane to tie the game at 98, but the Nuggets failed to get a shot off before the buzzer.
Clippers clinging to lead heading into 4th
Los Angeles is 12 minutes from stealing home-court advantage in this first-round series against the Denver Nuggets. James Harden scored 15 of his 20 points in the first half, but has four fouls. MVP candidate Nikola Jokic leads all scorers with 25 points, and has seven rebounds and seven assists.
Clippers vs. Nuggets player stats:
Game leaders through three quarters:
Clippers: James Harden – 20 points, five rebounds, seven assists on 7-of-18 shooting
Nuggets: Nikola Jokic – 25 points, seven rebounds, seven assists on 11-of-21 shooting
Clippers up after one against Nuggets
All 10 starters for both teams have at least a field goal, as Los Angeles takes a 35-27 lead against Denver after one. The Clippers had a 9-0 run early, and were countered by a Nuggets 10-0 run.
James Harden has 15 points, and Ivica Zubac chipped in with eight for LA, who shot 60% in the opening frame. Nikola Jokic scored seven points, added three rebounds, and two assists.
What time is Nuggets vs. Clippers?
Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers is at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 19.
How to watch Nuggets vs. Clippers: Time, TV, streaming info for Game 1
Date: Saturday, April 19
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Ball Arena (Denver)
TV: ESPN
Stream: Fubo
Watch Nuggets vs. Clippers with Fubo
Clippers vs. Nuggets odds:
The Los Angeles Clippers are slight favorites to defeat the Denver Nuggets in the NBA playoffs, per BetMGM odds (as of Friday evening, April 18):
Series winner: Clippers (-125); Nuggets (+105)
Game 1 Spread: Nuggets (-2.5)
Game 1 Moneyline: Nuggets (-140); Clippers (+115)
Game 1 Over/Under: 223.5
Nuggets vs. Clippers predictions: NBA playoffs series picks
USA TODAY Sports: Experts lean toward the Clippers
Three out of the four members of USA TODAY Sports’ NBA coverage team like the Los Angeles Clippers in this first-round series. Reporters James Williams and Lorenzo Reyes pick the Clippers to win in five games. Reporter Jeff Zillgitt has the Clippers winning the series in six games. USA TODAY Sports NBA editor Heather Tucker predicts the Nuggets will beat the Clippers in six games.
John Schuhmann, NBA.com: Clippers in 6
‘As a rule, postseason success correlates more to how a team plays early in the regular season than it does to how a team plays late. But the Clippers have obviously been a much different team since Leonard got healthy and found his rhythm. Jokić is still the best player in this series, but LA is the team that has proven that it can play at an elite level on both ends of the floor.’
Dan Devine, Yahoo Sports: Nuggets in 7
‘Whatever Denver throws at the Clips, (coach Tyronn) Lue will be ready with a response. Except, perhaps, for the biggest question the Nuggets can ask … This version of the Clippers absolutely can win this series, but this version of Jokić isn’t outgunned against anybody. That, plus home court, tilts me slightly in Denver’s favor.’
Denver Post: Four out of five writers pick Nuggets in 6 or 7
‘This series is anti-math,’ writes Denver Post Nuggets beat writer Bennett Durando. ‘Denver attempted a league-low 31.4 shots beyond the arc per 100 possessions this season. The Clippers attempted 33.8 – second-fewest in the West. They’re not like other teams that have blowtorched the Nuggets’ unsightly defense with 3s. That’s why I like the matchup for them, even if the opponent is absurdly tough for a No. 5 seed.’
Peter Dewey, Sports Illustrated: Clippers win the series
‘The Nuggets have some major issues on the defensive end of the floor (23rd in defensive rating since the break, 21st overall) … Jokic is going to make this series tough because of how he can single-handedly win Denver games, but the Clippers have been so dominant at home … and Denver doesn’t have nearly as much depth as the Clippers.’