Nuggets Complete 3-1 Comeback After Clippers Choke in Game 7

The Denver Nuggets showed their resilience once again and defeated the LA Clippers in Game 7 by a score of 104-89. Jokic and Murray shined with Murray scoring 40 and Jokic dropping an impressive triple-double. The Clippers star duo was disappointing and couldn’t get into a scoring rhythm all game, culminating in a dreadful five-point combined effort in the second half. This sets up a very intriguing Western Conference Finals matchup with the Lakers vs. Nuggets where Denver can give LA a real challenge and surprise a lot of people.

DON'T underestimate the Nuggets against the Lakers
- Red-hot in the bubble
- 6-0 when facing elimination
- Have won many close games in the 4th Qtr
- More continuity & chemistry
- Better coaching & supporting cast
- Michael Malone was LeBron's former coach for 5 years pic.twitter.com/htpAxFX4IB
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) September 16, 2020

Facts to Know

Denver Nuggets are the 1st team to come back from a 3-1 series deficit multiple times in a single postseason
Nikola Jokic (16 PTS, 22 REB, 13 AST) became the 1st player in NBA history to record a 20+ REB triple-double in a Game 7
The Clippers’ 50 seasons without reaching a Conference Finals are by far the most of any active NFL/NBA/MLB/NHL team
Denver Nuggets have 6 elimination game victories in a row, tying the 1994 Nuggets for the most in NBA history
Jamal Murray (40 PTS) outscored both Kawhi and PG (24 PTS combined) in Game 7
Jamal Murray became the 2nd youngest player in NBA history w/ 40+ PTS in a Game 7
Los Angeles Clippers are 0-8 with a chance to clinch a Conference Finals appearance (longest streak in NBA history)
Los Angeles Clippers are the only franchise in NBA history with more series losses than wins when leading by multiple games (2-4)
Doc Rivers is the only head coach in NBA history to lose multiple playoff series after being up 3-1 (he’s lost 3 now)
Doc Rivers has 8 career losses in Game 7 as a Head Coach (no other Coach has more than 5)

Top Takeaways

At the beginning of the playoffs, the Nuggets were never really considered championship contenders by anyone outside of Denver. That has quickly changed. The Mile High club showed their grit and ‘never say die’ attitude once again by coming back from another 3-1 deficit. Jamal Murray continued his MVP-caliber playoff run and Jokic showed once again why he is one of the best big men in the league. The Nuggets even received good minutes from a recently injured Gary Harris and Game 4 struggling Jerami Grant. DEN is proving themselves as a real force and it would not be surprising if they can pull an upset over the star-studded lakers, considering these reasons.

As impressive as the Nuggets were in the win, it was even more of a disappointment for the Clippers. This seemed like the year where they could get over the hump and finally make it to the Western Conference Finals, ending a historic 50-year drought. This loss brought back haunting memories of the 2015 “lob city” Clippers blowing another 3-1 lead and losing to the Rockets right before the western conference finals.

In the end, Kawhi and Paul George were expected to turn the Clippers around but they ended up completely choking in this game by combining for ZERO points in the fourth quarter and only five total in the second half. This will likely lead to a roster shakeup this summer as LA relied on many one-dimensional players (Lou Will, Beverley, Harrell, etc.) and shows how important continuity and chemistry is to playoff success in the most intense moments.

Future Outlook

For a primer on what the colors mean, click here. For LA’s full Team Outlook, click here

The Clippers future is somewhat up in the air after this loss. Kawhi and George’s contracts are similar after the Clippers traded away a bunch of first-round picks, Daniel Gallinari, and an up-and-coming Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just to land the two-way duo. Both players now have one year left with a player option for the 2021-2022 season. “Way Off P”‘s shooting struggles have been evident in these playoffs and if it continues, and Kawhi or George is unhappy, they could end up choosing to sign elsewhere after this season with another premature exit.

It’s been reported that Doc Rivers is expected to return next season, but with a history of blowing leads and not reaching the Conference Finals with very talented LA teams, it’s fair to question his job security going forward. An optimistic Clippers fan can point to a lack of continuity as the reason for the downfall and more time together with this group will naturally improve the team’s chances which holds some truth, but the roster construction of this squad surrounding George and Leonard was always questionable with no other key player being able to contribute on both ends of the floor. Marcus Morris and Harrell are now free agents with a big payday elsewhere a high possibility.

Denver now moves on to their first Western Conference Finals since 2009 when they lost to Kobe Bryant’s Lakers en route to Kobe’s fourth ring. This 2020 Nuggets team will try to prevent LeBron James from claiming his Mount Rushmore of Championships with a team that can bank on continuity and chemistry. Regardless of what happens in that enticing WCF matchup, the Nuggets have one of the brightest young cores in the entire league and are already among the top four teams in the league. There’s no better time to be a Denver Nuggets fan than right now.