Nuggets-Clippers Game 6 preview: Denver heads to LA with all the momentum

The Denver Nuggets are back in action against the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 6 of the Western Conference First Round. Here's everything you need to know ahead of Thursday night's matchup — including how to watch, betting odds, injury updates, projected lineups, and the key matchup to watch

BY TRENT FINNEGAN

May 1, 2025, 9:21 AM

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The Denver Nuggets travel to Los Angeles with a 3-2 series lead for Game 6 on Thursday in hopes of closing out the Clippers and advancing to the second round. After a 43-point outburst from Jamal Murray in Game 5 that reminded the world how much he can raise the Nuggets’ ceiling, the momentum in the series is on Denver’s side.

The last time the Nuggets were in this position, they lost by 45 points in Minnesota last year. After the big win in Game 5, multiple players and interim head coach David Adelman talked about how the team needs to approach this year’s Game 6 with a different mentality to avoid the embarrassment of 2024.

The Nuggets were finally able to get some much-needed production from the bench in Game 5, highlighted by a 21-point performance from Russell Westbrook. Deandre Jordan played 10 minutes and put up two rebounds, two assists and a massive block that led to a Jamal Murray dunk. Peyton Watson, while only playing eight minutes, was a +2 and had a block and a steal. While these contributions weren’t a whole lot, them being able to be on the floor and not be a negative is all the starting five needs.

For an in-depth analysis of the series, click here.

How to watch Game 6 of Nuggets-Clippers

Game 6 will be broadcast on TNT, TruTV and Altitude TV, with the opening tip scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Denver time. It will also be streamed on Altitude+ and MAX.

Odds for Game 6 of Nuggets-Clippers

Spread/Total: Nuggets +6.5, 212

Moneyline: Nuggets +225, Clippers -275

Nikola Jokic to record a triple-double: +100

After the under kept hitting in the first four games of the series, causing the line to slowly creep down, the Nuggets 131-point explosion effectively ‘reset’ the line back at 212. The books don’t have much faith in Denver to close the game out on the road, however, as this is the steepest the money line has been all season for Denver. For Jokic, he recorded his third triple double of the series in Game 5, despite a poor shooting performance.

Projected starting lineups for Game 6 of Nuggets-Clippers

Nuggets
G: Jamal Murray
G: Christian Braun
F: Michael Porter Jr.
F: Aaron Gordon
C: Nikola Jokic

Clippers
G: James Harden
G: Kris Dunn
G: Norman Powell
F: Kawhi Leonard
C: Ivica Zubac

Injury notes/report for Game 6 of Nuggets-Clippers

Nuggets
Michael Porter Jr. and Russell Westbrook are off the injury report for Denver, even though both are still battling through the injuries that have held them back throughout the series. Porter’s shoulder has been improving little by little, as he did not get a pain injection in the joint heading into Game 5.

As always, DaRon Holmes II rounds out Denver’s injury report, as he is still rehabbing the Achilles tendon he tore back in the NBA Summer League.

Clippers
The Clippers injury report is clean heading into Game 6.

Referees for Game 6 of Nuggets-Clippers

Crew Chief: David Guthrie (#16)
Referee: Tyler Ford (#39)
Umpire: Curtis Blair (#74)
Alternate: Rodney Mott (#71)
Replay Center: Courtney Kirkland

What to watch for in Game 6 of Nuggets-Clippers

James Harden versus Christian Braun. Through five games, Braun has gotten the assignment of guarding Harden, and has done a good job on the future Hall of Famer. In 195 partial possessions, Braun has held him to shoot under 43% from the field and has forced four turnovers from Harden. In Game 5, the Clippers star had just 11 points on 3-of-9 shooting.

Harden has done most of his damage this series when he’s gotten a switch onto a bigger defender, whether it’s Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr. or Nikola Jokic. While those matchups have been limited because they only happen when Denver switches a screen, Harden has been shooting 50% from the floor when guarded by one of those three players.

Harden’s performance has gone down in the playoffs in most years of his career, despite putting up some phenomenal regular season campaign. Braun and the Nuggets have him backed into a corner with his season on the line, and if they keep applying the pressure, they can send the Beard home early.