Clippers Force Game 7 against Nuggets with 111-105 Victory

James Harden and Kawhi Leonard led the Los Angeles Clippers to a 111-105 victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game 6, forcing a decisive Game 7 in their first-round NBA playoff series. Harden bounced back from a poor Game 5 showing, posting 28 points and eight assists, while Leonard contributed 27 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. Norman Powell added 24 points to help the Clippers, who also leaned on strong defensive performances from Nicolas Batum and Ivica Zubac, particularly in limiting Denver's Nikola Jokic to just five points in the second half. The Nuggets, who have struggled to close out series since winning the 2023 championship, were unable to capitalize on a late run, missing key opportunities in the final minutes. This performance marks a significant turnaround for the Clippers after back-to-back losses and positions them a win away from advancing past the first round for the first time since 2021. Fans and analysts are now looking to Harden and Leonard to deliver once more in Game 7.