Breakdown Of the Two Game Sevens from This Past Weekend
Two Game Sevens brought high drama to the NBA this past weekend, with the Clippers facing the Nuggets and the Warriors clashing with the Rockets. Though both games carried win-or-go-home stakes, they unfolded in very different ways. The Clippers-Nuggets battle was defined by gritty defense and physicality, while the Warriors-Rockets matchup leaned on star power and sharp shooting. Each game showcased how different strategies and execution styles can lead to contrasting outcomes. Let’s explain what happened and why the results turned out as they did.
Clippers vs. Nuggets
The Game Seven showdown between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers felt inevitable, as the two teams had gone back and forth throughout the series, proving just how evenly matched they were. Early on, the Clippers looked like the more prepared team, jumping out to a quick lead in the first quarter with aggressive defense and timely shot-making. However, that momentum was short-lived. In the second quarter, the Nuggets took control behind Nikola Jokic’s brilliant passing, Jamal Murray’s shot creation, and Russell Westbrook’s relentless energy, which helped them head into halftime with the upper hand. The second half was all Denver, as they came out firing on all cylinders and quickly built a double-digit lead with a balanced scoring attack that the Clippers had no answer for. Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, who had carried L.A. through earlier series stretches, struggled to find their rhythm and were largely ineffective when it mattered most. Meanwhile, the Clippers went ice cold from the field and struggled with unforced turnovers. What began as a close, high-stakes matchup soon became a one-sided affair, with the Nuggets dominating the final stretch to secure a blowout win and advance to a quick-turnaround series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Warriors vs. Rockets
After falling behind 3-1 in the Western Conference opening round, the Houston Rockets mounted an impressive comeback to force a decisive Game Seven back on their home court in Houston. Their turnaround began in Game Five, where they shifted the momentum by identifying and exploiting a key weakness in the Golden State Warriors’ lineup, playing with pace, and inserting bigger lineups that physically overwhelmed the smaller Warriors. This adjustment paid off again in Game Six, setting the stage for a highly anticipated Game Seven. The game opened with both teams struggling to find rhythm. Still, while the Warriors hit timely three-pointers, the Rockets’ offense reverted to the issues that plagued them earlier in the series: poor outside shooting and a lack of a dependable scoring option in the half-court. Although Houston held Stephen Curry in check for most of the night, Buddy Hield stole the show, draining eight three-pointers and finishing with thirty-three points to lead Golden State to a commanding Game Seven win and a trip to the Western Conference Finals. The Warriors will now travel to Minnesota to take on the Wolves.
Two thrilling Game Sevens capped off a dramatic weekend of playoff basketball, each telling a different story. The Denver Nuggets showcased dominance and cohesion, dismantling the Clippers with balanced scoring and relentless energy. At the same time, the Golden State Warriors relied on veteran poise and an unexpected hero in Buddy Hield to outlast a surging Rockets team. These results highlight how depth, timely adjustments, and composure under pressure can define postseason success. As the Nuggets prepare for a quick turnaround against the young and explosive Thunder, and the Warriors await their next challenge, one thing is clear: the road to the Finals is only getting tougher from here.
