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The Denver Nuggets grabbed a crucial 3–2 lead in their first-round playoff battle against the Los Angeles Clippers, winning Game 5 with a score of 129–117 on April 29 at Ball Arena.
Jamal Murray was on fire, scoring 43 points to lead Denver’s comeback. He was backed by Nikola Jokić, who nearly had a triple-double with 29 points, 9 rebounds, and 12 assists.
Nuggets Rally From Behind
Despite trailing by 15 points in the second quarter, Denver clawed back into the game and took over in the second half. Aaron Gordon had a strong night as well, adding 25 points and 8 rebounds, with 6 of those points coming in overtime to help seal the win.
The Nuggets have now won back-to-back games after tying the series in dramatic fashion during Game 4 with Gordon’s buzzer-beating dunk.
Clippers Put Up a Fight
The Clippers didn’t go down quietly. James Harden scored 32 points and dished out 11 assists, Ivica Zubac added 21 points and 13 boards, and Kawhi Leonard contributed 22 points—though he struggled with 7 turnovers.
Despite their offensive efforts, LA couldn’t hold off Denver’s momentum in the second half and overtime.
Injury Updates
For Denver, Russell Westbrook played in Game 5 after being listed as questionable with a sore foot. Michael Porter Jr. was also active, but DaRon Holmes II remains out as he recovers from Achilles surgery.
The Clippers entered the game with no injury concerns on their roster.
What’s Next: Game 6 Preview
Game 6 is set for Thursday, May 1, 2025, at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. The Nuggets now have a golden opportunity to wrap up the series on the road, while the Clippers will be desperate to push it to a Game 7.
This first-round clash has been one of the most competitive of the postseason, with multiple games coming down to the final seconds. Game 6 promises more of the same intensity and drama.
