Denver Nuggets fall to Los Angeles Clippers 105-102 in Game 2 of first-round NBA playoff series

Kawhi Leonard (2) of the LA Clippers drives on Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Ben Simmons (25) of the LA Clippers finishes over Michael Porter Jr. (1) of the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Head coach Ty Lue of the LA Clippers works against the Denver Nuggets during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Peyton Watson (8) of the Denver Nuggets defends Kawhi Leonard (2) of the LA Clippers during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

DeAndre Jordan (6) of the Denver Nuggets forces a miss by Derrick Jones Jr. (55) of the LA Clippers during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets works against Derrick Jones Jr. (55) of the LA Clippers during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Kawhi Leonard (2) of the LA Clippers and Peyton Watson (8) of the Denver Nuggets fall to the ground after Watson made a physical defensive play during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Aaron Gordon (32) of the Denver Nuggets high fives Russell Westbrook (4) as Kawhi Leonard (2) of the LA Clippers hangs his head during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets low fives Christian Braun (0) during the second quarter against the LA Clippers at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Head coach David Adelman rubs his face after speak to referee Marc Davis (8) during the second quarter against the LA Clippers at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets works against Ivica Zubac (40) of the LA Clippers during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Russell Westbrook (4) of the Denver Nuggets finishes a pass from Nikola Jokic (15) as Ivica Zubac (40) of the LA Clippers defends during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

James Harden (1) of the LA Clippers handles as Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets defends during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets battles with Kris Dunn (8) of the LA Clippers as Aaron Gordon (32) looks to inbound during the third quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Kris Dunn (8) of the LA Clippers fouls Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets as James Harden (1) defends during the third quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets wraps up the waist of Norman Powell (24) of the LA Clippers during the third quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets hoists Norman Powell (24) of the LA Clippers by securing the waist during the third quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Referee Tyler Ford (39) steps in after Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets hoisted Norman Powell (24) of the LA Clippers during the third quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets is held by referee Tyler Ford (39) after he hoisted Norman Powell (24) of the LA Clippers, which raised tempers, including those of Christian Braun (0) and Kris Dunn (8), who entered the fray during the third quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Norman Powell (24) of the LA Clippers stares at Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets after Murray lifted him off the ground during the third quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets works against James Harden (1) of the LA Clippers during the third quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Russell Westbrook (4) of the Denver Nuggets dribbles between Norman Powell (24) and Ben Simmons (25) of the LA Clippers during the third quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Russell Westbrook (4) of the Denver Nuggets defends Kawhi Leonard (2) of the LA Clippers during the fourth quarter of the Clippers’ 105-102 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Russell Westbrook (4) of the Denver Nuggets celebrates hitting a three pointer against the LA Clippers during the fourth quarter of the Clippers’ 105-102 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Head coach David Adelman of the Denver Nuggets works agianst the LA Clippers during the fourth quarter of the Clippers’ 105-102 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Aaron Gordon (32) of the Denver Nuggets defends Kawhi Leonard (2) of the LA Clippers during the fourth quarter of the Clippers’ 105-102 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Russell Westbrook (4) of the Denver Nuggets draws a foul from Bogdan Bogdanovic (10) of the LA Clippers during the fourth quarter of the Clippers’ 105-102 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Head coach David Adelman of the Denver Nuggets speaks with Jamal Murray (27) during the fourth quarter of the LA Clippers’ 105-102 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets pats Russell Westbrook (4) on the buttocks during the fourth quarter of the LA Clippers’ 105-102 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets runs in transition against the LA Clippers during the fourth quarter of the Clippers’ 105-102 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets tips a pass intended for Norman Powell (24) of the LA Clippers during the fourth quarter of the Clippers’ 105-102 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Ivica Zubac (40) of the LA Clippers bumps chests with Norman Powell (24) after drawing a foul from Aaron Gordon (32) of the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter of the Clippers’ 105-102 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Michael Porter Jr. (1) of the Denver Nuggets and Kris Dunn (8) of the LA Clippers dive for a loose ball after Porter Jr. lost his handle of it during the fourth quarter of the Clippers’ 105-102 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Michael Porter Jr. (1) of the Denver Nuggets winces after a scramble for a loose ball against Kris Dunn (8) of the LA Clippers ended up on the ground during the fourth quarter of the Clippers’ 105-102 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets puts up a last-second shot over Kawhi Leonard (2) of the LA Clippers during the fourth quarter of the Clippers’ 105-102 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)