The LA Clippers and Denver Nuggets gave us one of the best first-round series of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Seven games. Wild swings. Clutch moments. And some of the best individual performances of the postseason.
Denver won the series 4-3. But the Clippers pushed them to the limit.
Here’s every player stat you need, game by game — plus series averages for all the key guys.
Series Summary: How Each Game Played Out?
Before we get into the stats, here’s a quick look at how the series went:
| Game | Date | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | April 19 | Denver | 112–110 (OT) |
| Game 2 | April 21 | LA Clippers | 105–102 |
| Game 3 | April 24 | LA Clippers | 117–83 |
| Game 4 | April 26 | Denver | 101–99 |
| Game 5 | April 29 | Denver | 131–115 |
| Game 6 | May 1 | LA Clippers | 111–105 |
| Game 7 | May 3 | Denver | 120–101 |
Denver won the series 4-3 and moved on to the second round.
Game 1 Player Stats – Denver Nuggets Win, 112–110 (OT)
This one went to overtime. Denver escaped with a big win at home.
Key Moments
- Denver’s Russell Westbrook hit a steal in the final seconds to save the win
- Jokic fell just one rebound short of a triple-double
- Harden had one of the best games of his playoff run this year
Top Performers – Game 1
Denver Nuggets
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikola Jokic | ~28 | ~11 | ~10 | Near triple-double |
| Jamal Murray | ~20 | ~5 | ~4 | Key in OT |
| Russell Westbrook | ~12 | ~4 | ~3 | Game-saving steal |
LA Clippers
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Harden | 32 | ~6 | 11 | Best game of series opener |
| Kawhi Leonard | ~18 | ~5 | ~3 | Solid effort |
| Ivica Zubac | ~12 | ~10 | ~2 | Strong in paint |
Game 2 Player Stats – LA Clippers Win, 105–102
Kawhi Leonard showed up in a huge way. The Clippers got even.
Key Moments
- Leonard hit a pull-up 3-pointer at halftime to break a tie
- Leonard stole a Jokic pass with 37 seconds left to seal it
- Jokic posted a full triple-double but still lost
Top Performers – Game 2
LA Clippers
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawhi Leonard | 39 | ~6 | ~3 | 15-of-19 (79%) |
| James Harden | ~14 | ~5 | ~8 | Solid distributor |
| Ivica Zubac | ~10 | ~9 | ~2 | Active in paint |
Denver Nuggets
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikola Jokic | 26 | 12 | 10 | Full triple-double |
| Jamal Murray | 23 | ~4 | ~4 | Clutch 3 in Q4 |
| Michael Porter Jr. | 15 | 15 | ~1 | Big bounce-back game |
Fun fact: Leonard’s 39 points came on just 19 shots. That 79% field goal mark is near-perfect for a playoff game.
Game 3 Player Stats – LA Clippers Win, 117–83
The Clippers ran away with this one. Denver had no answers.
This was the most one-sided game of the series. LA’s defense locked Denver down and the offense clicked from start to finish.
Top Performers – Game 3
LA Clippers
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawhi Leonard | ~28 | ~7 | ~4 | Dominant again |
| Norman Powell | ~22 | ~4 | ~2 | On fire from range |
| James Harden | ~18 | ~6 | ~10 | Set the table all night |
Denver Nuggets
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikola Jokic | ~20 | ~9 | ~6 | Struggled vs Clippers defense |
| Jamal Murray | ~12 | ~3 | ~3 | Off night |
| Aaron Gordon | ~10 | ~5 | ~2 | Few bright spots for Denver |
Game 4 Player Stats – Denver Nuggets Win, 101–99
Denver bounced back with a narrow win. Jokic and Murray found their rhythm again.
Top Performers – Game 4
Denver Nuggets
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikola Jokic | ~27 | ~13 | ~9 | Back to MVP form |
| Jamal Murray | ~22 | ~5 | ~4 | Clutch down the stretch |
| Aaron Gordon | ~16 | ~7 | ~3 | Physical and active |
LA Clippers
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawhi Leonard | ~24 | ~6 | ~3 | Not enough support |
| James Harden | ~16 | ~5 | ~9 | Battled hard |
| Ivica Zubac | ~14 | ~11 | ~2 | Fought Jokic tough |
Game 5 Player Stats – Denver Nuggets Win, 131–115
Denver took control with a blowout. Christian Braun was a star.
Top Performers – Game 5
Denver Nuggets
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikola Jokic | ~30 | ~14 | ~9 | Back in full control |
| Christian Braun | ~25 | ~6 | ~4 | Huge performance |
| Jamal Murray | ~22 | ~5 | ~5 | Sharp all night |
LA Clippers
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawhi Leonard | ~28 | ~6 | ~4 | Tried to keep it close |
| Norman Powell | ~20 | ~4 | ~2 | Solid effort |
| James Harden | ~12 | ~5 | ~7 | Off night – drew criticism |
Game 6 Player Stats – LA Clippers Win, 111–105
Harden responded to the criticism with one of his best games. The Clippers lived to fight another day.
Key Moments
- Harden was aggressive all night after a quiet Game 5
- The Clippers held Jokic scoreless for 11 straight minutes in the 3rd quarter
- Zubac and Nicolas Batum teamed up to slow Jokic in the second half
Top Performers – Game 6
LA Clippers
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Harden | 28 | ~5 | 8 | Aggressive bounce-back |
| Kawhi Leonard | 27 | 10 | 5 | Complete two-way effort |
| Norman Powell | 24 | ~4 | ~2 | Key scorer off the wing |
Denver Nuggets
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikola Jokic | 25 | ~10 | ~8 | 20 in 1H, shut down late |
| Jamal Murray | 21 | ~5 | ~4 | Series still alive |
| Michael Porter Jr. | ~12 | ~6 | ~1 | Quiet night |
Game 7 Player Stats – Denver Nuggets Win, 120–101
Denver closed it out. Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and Russell Westbrook were the heroes.
Jokic did not need to go nuclear. The whole team showed up.
Key Moments
- Denver led 58-47 at halftime
- After three quarters, the score was 93-66 — the game was over
- Clippers coach Ty Lue pulled his starters with 6 minutes left in the 4th
- Westbrook’s 5 steals were a game-changer
Top Performers – Game 7
Denver Nuggets
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | STL | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Gordon | 22 | 4 | 5 | – | Led team; 9-for-16 FG |
| Christian Braun | 21 | 5 | 4 | – | 8-for-15, 3-for-5 from 3 |
| Nikola Jokic | 16 | 10 | 8 | – | Efficient and steady |
| Russell Westbrook | 16 | 5 | 5 | 5 | Off the bench, 5 steals |
| Jamal Murray | 16 | 5 | – | – | Smooth and confident |
| Michael Porter Jr. | 15 | 6 | – | – | 6-for-11 FG |
LA Clippers
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawhi Leonard | 22 | 5 | – | 6-for-13 FG; 2-for-4 from 3 |
| Kobe Brown | 13 | – | – | 6-for-7 FG; efficient |
| Derrick Jones Jr. | 12 | – | – | Active off the bench |
| Bogdan Bogdanovic | 12 | – | – | Tied with Jones |
| Ivica Zubac | 10 | 14 | – | Double-double in a loss |
| James Harden | 7 | 5 | 13 | 2-for-8 FG; set up teammates |
Full Series Averages: Top Players
These are the per-game averages across all 7 games.
Denver Nuggets – Series Averages
| Player | PPG | RPG | APG | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikola Jokic | ~23 | ~11 | ~8.5 | Anchored every win |
| Jamal Murray | ~19 | ~4.5 | ~4 | Hot and cold through series |
| Aaron Gordon | ~16 | ~5.5 | ~3.5 | Best in Game 7 |
| Christian Braun | ~17 | ~5 | ~3 | Breakout series moment |
| Michael Porter Jr. | ~14 | ~8 | ~1.5 | Inconsistent but big upside |
| Russell Westbrook | ~11 | ~4 | ~3 | Key bench energy |
LA Clippers – Series Averages
| Player | PPG | RPG | APG | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawhi Leonard | ~28 | ~6.5 | ~3.5 | Elite all series |
| James Harden | ~18.5 | ~5.5 | ~9 | Key playmaker |
| Norman Powell | ~20 | ~3.5 | ~2 | Consistent scorer |
| Ivica Zubac | ~12 | ~11 | ~2 | Fought Jokic every night |
| Derrick Jones Jr. | ~9 | ~3 | ~1.5 | Defensive hustle guy |
Key Player Matchups That Decided the Series
Jokic vs. Zubac — The Battle in the Paint
This was the most fun matchup of the series. Jokic entered with a regular-season average of 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists. Zubac was one of the few centers in the league built to slow him down.
Over the past 4 years, Jokic shoots 44.3% when Zubac defends him — compared to 59.4% against everyone else. That gap showed up in this series too.
Zubac averaged double-digit boards in most games. He was second in the league in contested rebounds this season with 5.9 per game. Jokic was fourth at 5.4.
Kawhi Leonard — The Star Who Showed Up When It Mattered
Leonard missed the first 34 games of the season. He only played 37 regular season games. But in the playoffs, he looked like himself again.
His regular-season numbers: 21.5 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 3.1 APG on 49.8% FG.
In this series, he topped that. His Game 2 performance (39 points on 15-of-19 shooting) was one of the best individual playoff performances of 2025.
Harden vs. Braun — The Underrated Battle
Harden entered the series with regular-season averages of 22.1 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 8.7 APG. He was more of a playmaker than a scorer on this Clippers team.
Christian Braun gave Denver something different. He averaged 15.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.6 APG in the regular season and elevated in the playoffs. His speed off the ball and ability to get to the rim made the Clippers’ wing defense work hard all series long.
Read: Dallas Cowboys vs Philadelphia Eagles Match Player Stats – 2026 Full Breakdown
What Decided the Series?: 3 Big Reasons Denver Won
1. Denver’s Depth Was Too Much in Game 7
When the Nuggets needed it most, they got big games from four different players in double figures. Westbrook’s 5 steals off the bench changed the tone. The Clippers had no answer for that depth.
2. Clippers Had No One to Help Kawhi
Leonard was great. But his teammates shot just 39% from the field in Game 2 when he dropped 39. In the series finale, Harden went 2-for-8 from the floor.
3. Jokic Doesn’t Disappear
Even in his “quiet” Game 7 (16 pts), Jokic still had 10 rebounds and 8 assists. You can slow him down. You can’t stop him.
Clippers vs Nuggets — Regular Season Stats Going In
Here’s a look at what both teams brought in before the series started:
| Stat | Nikola Jokic | Kawhi Leonard |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 29.6 | 21.5 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 12.7 | 5.9 |
| Assists Per Game | 10.2 | 3.1 |
| FG% | ~58% | 49.8% |
| Steals Per Game | 1.8 | ~1.4 |
| Stat | James Harden | Jamal Murray |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 22.1 | 21.4 |
| Assists Per Game | 8.7 | 6.0 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 5.8 | 3.9 |
| FG% | 41% | ~48% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Clippers vs Nuggets 2026 playoff series?
The Denver Nuggets won the series 4 games to 3. They beat the Clippers 120-101 in Game 7 on May 3, 2025 at Ball Arena in Denver.
Who had the best stats in the Clippers vs Nuggets series?
Kawhi Leonard was the best individual player in the series for LA. His 39-point Game 2 on 79% shooting stands out most. For Denver, Nikola Jokic was steady throughout, with Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun stepping up big in Game 7.
What were Nikola Jokic’s stats in the 2025 playoffs vs the Clippers?
Jokic averaged around 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game in the series. His full regular-season averages were 29.6 PPG, 12.7 RPG, and 10.2 APG, which made him the favorite MVP heading into the postseason.
How did James Harden play vs the Nuggets?
Harden was solid but inconsistent. He had a massive Game 1 (32 points, 11 assists), a rough Game 5, and then bounced back with 28 points in Game 6. He ended Game 7 with just 7 points on 2-for-8 shooting but dished out 13 assists.
What were Christian Braun’s stats vs the Clippers?
Braun had a big series for Denver. He scored 21 points in Game 7 on 8-for-15 shooting, going 3-for-5 from three. He was one of the reasons the Nuggets won the deciding game.
Who was the best bench player in the Clippers vs Nuggets series?
Russell Westbrook stood out for Denver. In Game 7, he had 16 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals off the bench — all in a must-win game.
What were Kawhi Leonard’s stats in the series?
Leonard averaged around 28 points per game through the series. He was the Clippers’ best player by far. His shooting efficiency (close to 50% from the field) made him nearly impossible to stop when healthy.
Did Ivica Zubac play well against Jokic?
Yes. Zubac held his own in a tough matchup. He averaged double-digit rebounds in most games and recorded a 14-rebound effort in Game 7 even in a loss. His defense on Jokic — helping hold him to 44.3% shooting over their career matchups — was a key factor for LA.
How did the series start?
Game 1 was a thriller that went to overtime. Denver won 112-110. Westbrook’s game-saving steal in the final seconds was the turning point. Harden had 32 points and 11 assists in the loss.
Why did the Clippers lose to the Nuggets?
A few reasons: Harden had a cold Game 7, Denver got contributions from multiple players when it counted most, and Jokic never let the Nuggets fall apart even in tough moments. The Clippers relied too heavily on Leonard and didn’t get enough from their supporting cast in the finale.
Final Thoughts
This was a great series. Both teams left it all on the floor.
For the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard showed he’s still one of the best playoff players in the NBA when healthy. If the team can build better depth around him and Harden, they’ll be a real threat going forward.
For Denver, this series proved that even without their best basketball, the Nuggets can win close games. Jokic is that good. And with Westbrook, Braun, and Gordon all stepping up in Game 7, they showed they have more than just one star.
The 2026 first-round series between the Clippers and Nuggets will be remembered as one of the best of the postseason.
