LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Clippers entered Game 4 riding high and seeking a commanding 3-1 lead in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs, but the Denver Nuggets managed to regroup to tie the series at two.
Nikola Jokic led a second-half Denver surge, which saw the Nuggets build a 22-point lead in the third quarter of play. But the Clippers roared back and even briefly held a lead in the fourth quarter. The Nuggets avoided overtime when Aaron Gordon tipped in the game-winner at the buzzer.
Jokic finished with 36 points, 21 rebounds and eight assists.
Nuggets vs. Clippers highlights
Final: Nuggets 101, Clippers 99
Watch Aaron Gordon’s game-winner
Clippers vs. Nuggets third quarter update
After three quarters of play, the Nuggets lead the Clippers 85-65.
Denver built its largest lead of the game against L.A., leading by as many as 20 points, during the quarter. The Clippers have not led all game.
Nikola Jokic has produced a double-double with 31 points and 16 rebounds through the first three quarters. He also has seven assists and shot 3-of-4 from long range.
Clippers vs. Nuggets halftime score
The Nuggets lead the Clippers 50-48 at halftime. Nicolas Batum hit a 3-pointer for the Clippers that tied the game at 31 with 8:34 left in the second quarter. The shot also forced the Nuggets to take a timeout.
While Batum’s three-pointer brought along a cheer from the fans inside the Intuit Dome, a pair of personal fouls called on Kawhi Leonard led to some vocal displeasure by the fans.
Clipper fans shared their frustration with the officials. Leonard also appeared animated with the referees after the call.
Prior to the second person foul called on Leonard, teammate James Harden performed a behind-the-back pass to Derrick Jones Jr., who quickly moved the ball to Leonard for the 3-pointer with 5:56 left in the quarter. Aaron Gordon made a pair of free throws after the second call on Leonard.
Things got chippy in the final seconds of the quarter between the Clippers and Nuggets. Christian Braun and James Harden exchanged words before a brief scuffle began. Braun called for a personal foul.
Officials are reviewing everything that took place, which caused a delay in the action. Harden, Kris Dunn, Powell, Aaron Gordon, Jokic, Braun. Referees said there were no closed fists in the scuffle. No ejections.
The Clippers didn’t have a single player score double-digit points in the first half. Jokic had a game-high 15 points and eight rebounds.
Clippers vs. Nuggets first quarter score
Nikola Jokic just hit a 27-foot three-point shot at the buzzer before the end of the first quarter and was seen going back to the locker room shortly after. He returned to the bench shortly before the start of the second quarter.
Nuggets lead Clippers 27-22 at the end of the first quarter.
Ben Simmons helped close the gap for the Clippers and briefly made it a two-point game with 40 seconds left in the opening quarter at 24-22. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue thought highly of Simmons’ effort in Game 3.
Denver was unable to do anything down the other end after the dunk and was called for a 24-second shot clock violation. Clippers’ defense continued to cause problems for the Nuggets, who were called for a second 24-second shot clock violation on a following possession.
Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac each scored a team-high five points for the Clippers. Aaron Gordon led the Nuggets with a game-high seven points in the first quarter.
L.A. Clippers starting lineup for Game 4 vs. Nuggets
Norman Powell
Kawhi Leonard
Ivica Zubac
Kris Dunn
James Harden
Denver Nuggets starting lineup for Game 4 vs. Clippers
Michael Porter Jr.
Aaron Gordon
Nikola Jokić
Christian Braun
Jamal Murray
Michael Porter Jr. injury update
Michael Porter Jr. came out of the Denver Nuggets’ locker room with the team.
He is participating in the layup line. He doesn’t have a hoodie on like his teammates, but he does have his game jersey on.
There’s some sort of tape over his left shoulder as well. He was listed in the starting lineup for Game 4.
Russell Westbrook injury update
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook has been ruled out for Game 4, according to ESPN.
Westbrook was a limited participant for Thursday’s game after being injured during pregame warmups.
The former Clipper scored three points, a rebound and an assist in nine minutes of play. He shot 1-for-5 from the field (all attempts from the three-point line).
What time is Clippers vs. Nuggets Saturday?
Game 4 of the Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets in the NBA first-round playoff series is at 6 p.m. ET April 26 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
How to watch Clippers vs. Nuggets NBA playoff game: TV, stream
Time: 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT
Location: Intuit Dome (Inglewood, Calif.)
TV: TNT
Stream: Max, Sling TV
Watch Nuggets vs. Clippers Game 4 with Sling TV
Clippers vs. Nuggets schedule
Clippers lead the series 2-1
Game 1: Nuggets 112, Clippers 110
Game 2: Clippers 105, Nuggets 102
Game 3: Clippers 117, Nuggets 83
Game 4: Nuggets at Clippers | Saturday, April 26, 6 p.m. ET | TNT
Game 5: Clippers at Nuggets | Tuesday, April 29, 10 p.m. ET | TNT
Game 6: Nuggets at Clippers | Thursday, May 1, TBD | TBD*
Game 7: Clippers at Nuggets | Saturday, May 3, TBD | TBD*