- Los Angeles Clippers crushed Denver Nuggets 117-83 in Game 3 to lead the series 2-1
- Kawhi Leonard delivered a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds
- Nikola Jokic recorded a triple-double but could not prevent the heavy defeat
Key Takeaways:
Los Angeles Clippers claimed a dominant 117-83 win over the Denver Nuggets in Game 3 of their playoff series, moving ahead 2-1 after the action shifted to California. With this resounding victory, the Clippers signalled their serious intent to eliminate the Nuggets and reach the Western Conference semifinals. The game also marked the very first postseason game in Clippers’ new arena Intuit Dome.
The Clippers CRUSHED the Nuggets for their first home playoff win in the Intuit Dome. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/z4mRD60Orw
— theScore (@theScore) April 25, 2025
Denver started the game well and even held a 7-point lead at 26-19. However, the hosts ended the opening quarter with a 16-2 run to flip the score to 35-28. That surge continued into the second period, with Clippers scoring seven unanswered points to build a 42-28 lead. By halftime, they had extended their advantage to 18 points at 65-47.
The third quarter followed the same pattern, as the Clippers maintained full control and ended it ahead 90-70. In the final stretch, the Los Angeles side stayed on top and outscored Denver 27-13 to seal the blowout with an impressive 34-point margin – a rare sight in the postseason.
Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with a double-double of 21 points and 11 rebounds, along with 6 assists. James Harden added 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists, while Norman Powell also contributed 20 points.
For Denver, Nikola Jokic posted a triple-double with 23 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists. Jamal Murray matched his 23 points, and Aaron Gordon added 15 in a disappointing outing for the Nuggets.