DENVER — After a brutal back-and-forth series, the Denver Nuggets punched their ticket to the Western Conference semifinals in resounding fashion — steamrolling the Los Angeles Clippers 120-101 in Game 7 on Saturday night.

Denver shook off a sluggish start and stormed ahead with a dominant second quarter, ultimately putting the series to bed with energy, teamwork, and a raucous home crowd behind them. Now, they’re headed for a high-stakes clash with the Oklahoma City Thunder — and an MVP finalist showdown between Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Nuggets Outlast the Grind, Catch Fire in Game 7

This first-round matchup was a war of attrition. But when it mattered most, Denver had more left in the tank.

Down 26-21 after the first quarter and with stars Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray ice-cold from the field, the Nuggets rallied behind their role players and turned up the heat. They outscored the Clippers 37-21 in the second quarter, flipping the game on its head and taking a 58-47 halftime lead they would never relinquish.

From there, it was all Denver — fast-paced, locked-in, and relentless.

“There Is a Point of Exhaustion”

Before tip-off, Nuggets assistant coach David Adelman spoke to the fatigue both teams were battling after a grueling seven-game stretch.

“You have to understand, there is a point of exhaustion,” Adelman said. “When there’s downs in the games, that’s when everybody has to be closest together.”

His words proved prophetic. While the Clippers faded in the second half, the Nuggets found a second wind and never let up — thanks to a true team effort.

Slow Start, Strong Finish for Jokić and Murray

Jokić and Murray didn’t score their first field goals until midway through the second quarter — but by then, Denver’s supporting cast had already set the tone.

Christian Braun gave the Nuggets a boost early, while their collective defensive effort stifled the Clippers. Jokić finally got on the board with a three-pointer to make it 34-30, followed by Murray’s first bucket — a layup that extended the lead to 48-43.

From there, the stars settled in, and the Clippers never recovered.

No Collapse This Time

Denver fans still haunted by last season’s Game 7 meltdown against the Timberwolves — when a 15-point halftime lead evaporated — could finally exhale. This time, the Nuggets made sure the second half belonged to them.

A 7-3 run out of the break triggered a quick timeout by Clippers coach Tyronn Lue. But it was no use. A Michael Porter Jr. three-pointer capped a 15-3 run that blew the game wide open at 73-50.

The Clippers had no answers, and Denver coasted the rest of the way — with six players scoring in double figures.

A Clash of MVP Titans Awaits

Up next: a marquee second-round showdown between the Nuggets and Thunder — and the battle between MVP finalists Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The actual MVP award will be announced later this postseason, but the court will now serve as the ultimate stage for settling the debate. While they won’t go head-to-head on every possession, their leadership, production, and impact will shape what promises to be one of the most compelling series of the playoffs.

For Denver, the question is no longer about whether Jokić has enough help. Game 7 provided the answer — and it was loud.

Source: Yahoo Sports – NBA playoffs: Nuggets cap grueling series with Game 7 blowout over Clippers, set up showdown with OKC, matchup of MVP finalists

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