Leonard led Los Angeles with 14 points at the break, while Harden struggled, going just 2-of-6 for seven points. Norman Powell chipped in four, and Ivica Zubac added eight. Braun paced the Nuggets with 11 points, while Gordon and Westbrook each scored 10, and Jokic had nine.

The Denver Nuggets dominated the Los Angeles Clippers 120-101 in the do-or-die game seven of their NBA playoff series on Saturday to set up a second-round clash with Western Conference top seeds Oklahoma City.

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, center, grabs a rebound away from Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac, right, as guard Christian Braun reaches during the second half in Game 6 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) AP