The head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, Tyronn Lue, entered the decisive Game 7 against the Denver Nuggets with an unblemished record, having never lost a Game 7 in his coaching career. His players were confident, knowing they could rely on Lue’s expertise to guide them through this critical matchup of their 2024-25 NBA season. However, Lue was the first to acknowledge that while he may be the coach, the success of the team is ultimately attributed to the players. His impressive 4-0 record in seventh games was a testament to the talent he believed he had in stars like Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.
Despite Lue’s confidence, the odds were stacked against the Clippers, especially in a playoff scenario where home teams historically win 74.2% of Game 7s. The Nuggets emphatically asserted their dominance with a commanding 120-101 victory over the Clippers, clinching the series 4-3. The game took a decisive turn in the fourth quarter, where the Nuggets built a staggering 35-point lead, leaving little doubt about the outcome. “You hate to see them go out like this in a Game 7,” Lue expressed, reflecting on the disappointing end to the season.
The turning point came when the Nuggets extended their lead to 65-50 after an electrifying dunk by Aaron Gordon, prompting a timeout from the Clippers as the home crowd erupted in chants of “Beat L.A.” This momentum shift was further fueled by a devastating 35-19 scoring run from the Nuggets in the third quarter. Leonard, who contributed 22 points, lamented, “I think we could have given a better effort, for sure. At the time, I don’t think this team is 30 points better than us, as you saw throughout the first six games of this series.”
Unfortunately for the Clippers, James Harden struggled once again, scoring only seven points on two-of-eight shooting, alongside 13 assists, marking another disappointing chapter in his performance throughout the series. He chose not to speak to the media after the game, mirroring his silence following losses in both Game 4 and Game 5. Ivica Zubac, who recorded a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds, acknowledged the Nuggets’ superior effort, stating, “They beat us in every aspect of the game. That was the difference.”
Although Nikola Jokic didn’t display his usual brilliance, finishing with 16 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, his presence on the court was still felt. Aaron Gordon led the Nuggets with 22 points, while Jamal Murray and Russell Westbrook, playing against his former team, each added 16 points. Lue made notable adjustments to his lineup, starting Derrick Jones Jr. over Kris Dunn and later substituting Nicolas Batum in the third quarter, signaling a willingness to adapt in a high-stakes game.
The Clippers initially showcased their defensive prowess, limiting the Nuggets to just 21 points in the first quarter and forcing Jokic to miss his first five shots. However, that defensive grip slipped in the second quarter as the Nuggets erupted for 37 points, shooting 50% overall and from three-point range. This inability to maintain defensive intensity ultimately led to the Clippers’ downfall.
Finishing the regular season with a 50-32 record, identical to the Nuggets, the Clippers were the fifth seed in the Western Conference. Yet, the regular season accomplishments were overshadowed by their early playoff exit. Bogdan Bogdanovic, who contributed 12 points off the bench, expressed disappointment, stating, “I would say this group deserves a better finish. Not a way to finish it. But we got to look ourselves in the mirror. That’s it.”
As the Clippers head into the offseason, questions loom about their future and the adjustments needed to build a stronger team capable of overcoming playoff challenges.
