The Denver Nuggets managed to steal a victory and prevent having to dig out of a 3-1 series hole at the hands of the LA Clippers, with some last-second unlikely heroics. Fans and those watching the playoff tension as it was broadcast on TNT were treated to a dramatic shift in momentum in the fourth quarter. At one point, despite having carried a comfortable lead through the entire game, it seemed like the game was quickly slipping away, with a Clippers comeback win looking all but certain. 

Unstoppable Kawhi Leonard

Led by an attack from playoff all-world playoff performer Kawhi Leonard and his 2019 Toronto Raptors 6th man sidekick Norm Powell, the Clippers mounted a 32-9 point differential in the final six minutes. The Nuggets, whose hopes were riding solely on Nikola Jokic’s incredible 36-point and 21-rebound performance, seemed to have no answer for Kawhi. The two-time NBA champ was clearly in his typical “next level” zone that very few can enter in these moments. 

Gordon To The Rescue

Kawhi, Powell, and James Harden were all in sync on both ends of the floor when, first, Jamal Murray tossed up a perfect three when the Nuggets so desperately needed it in the waning seconds. The lead was gone after Clippers center Ivica Zubac tapped in a Harden missed layup in heavy traffic in the key. Finally, in somewhat of a Hail Mary style, Jokic threw an attempted three high up in the air, only to have Aaron Gordon swoop in like Superman. After an extensive review, the Nuggets got the call, a truly unorthodox alley-oop for the win.

End Of Nuggets Rant:

This is a massive character win for the Nuggets, who seemed almost inevitable to have let the game slip away in the final seconds. After Thursday’s 117-83 shellacking, where Kawhi and company appeared to have all gotten involved in a massive scoring attack, it was refreshing to see the Nuggets in control of most of this game. They will all attest, however, that they got lucky this time. A much convincing and statement-making win will be called for on Monday night when the two playoff juggernaut teams square off again at Ball Arena in Denver.