๐ PLAYOFF BRACKET ๐
Denver advances to West Semis ๐
The #NBAPlayoffs presented by Google continue Sunday with 2 games on TNT! pic.twitter.com/znOCP00Nrm
— NBA (@NBA) May 4, 2025
Just barely a month after firing their head coach, Mike Malone and “essentially” letting go of their GM, Calvin Booth, the Denver Nuggets are advancing to the semis of the 2025 NBA Playoffs (120 – 101) and will face the OKC Thunders, who swept their series against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Nuggets defeated a healthy Clippers that includes a resurging Kawhi Leonard, a conditioned James Harden and improved Ivica Zubac. In their last outing, Leonard scored a team high 22 points and 5 rebounds, Harden only scored 7 points with 5 rebounds and 13 assists, but both player did not impact the game as people are expecting from the two superstars.
It was a close game until the last 3 minutes, where the Nuggets was able to build an 11-point lead to end the first half (47 – 58). In the 3rd, the Nuggets went on a 17 to nothing run, to create a 25 point lead with 7:30 still remaining in the quarter and basically ran away with the game.
Aaron Gordon lead Denver with 22 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists, followed by Christian Braun, who added 22 points with 4 rebounds and 5 assists. Aside from his production, Braun also provided the much needed defence against Harden. Denver’s best player Nikola Jokic was flirting with a triple-double game with his scored 16 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists, and basically sat-put the whole 4th quarter.
Aaron Gordon's 22-point performance leads the @nuggets to a Game 7 win at home!
Braun: 21 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST
Jokiฤ: 16 PTS, 10 REB, 8 AST, 3 STL
Murray: 16 PTS, 5 REB
Westbrook: 16 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST, 5 STL
Porter Jr.: 15 PTS, 6 REB pic.twitter.com/s5q2g1EmkI— NBA (@NBA) May 4, 2025
They now will face OKC in the West Semis on Monday at 9:30pm/et on TNT!
— NBA (@NBA) May 4, 2025
In the post game interview, โIn playoffs we know that everybody needs to step up, offensively, defensively, whatever, energy-wise. And everybody who plays needs to contribute something,” Jokic giving Braun his flowers, โIt was special today the guys did that.โ
Denver will be facing a well rested OKC Thunder, this Tuesday, May 6th at the Paycom Center, OKC.