West playoffs: Nuggets roll in Game 7, advance to face Thunder

The 2024-25 NBA playoffs are in full swing, and our NBA insiders have you covered for every game in the march to the Finals.

On Wednesday, the No. 6-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves pulled off an upset by eliminating the No. 3 Los Angeles Lakers in a Game 5 win.

On Friday, the No. 2 Houston Rockets also forced a Game 7 against the No. 7 Golden State Warriors. The winner of the Rockets-Warriors series will take on the Timberwolves.

Saturday, the No. 4 Denver Nuggets beat the No. 5 LA Clippers in a Game 7 showdown to advance to the second round to face off against the No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder.

As the West playoffs continue, here's what matters most and what to watch for in all four series.

Jump to a series:
Thunder-Grizzlies | Rockets-Warriors
Lakers-Timberwolves | Nuggets-Clippers

More coverage:
East first-round takeaways
Schedules and results | Offseason guides

(4) Denver Nuggets win series over
(5) LA Clippers 4-3

What we learned in Game 7: The Nuggets supporting cast was incredible in this one. Normally in Game 7s the superstars have to be superstars. But in this one Russell Westbrook, Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon led the way with energy, toughness and some incredible shot-making. Braun got the Nuggets off to a fantastic start, with nine of Denver's 21 points in the first quarter. Gordon had eight points in the second quarter, then had one of the best dunk's you'll ever see -- a reverse, two-handed jam in the third quarter that sent the crowd at Ball Arena into a tizzy and seemed to crush the spirit of the Clippers once and for all. Westbrook was an absolute ball of energy in that monster 37-21 second quarter, scoring 10 points and grabbing two steals. Those performances more than made up for average performances from Jokic (16 points on just 6-of-14 shooting) and Murray 16 points. For the Clippers, there's not much to be gleaned from this loss. They overachieved this season after losing Paul George in free agency and absolutely should feel good about their performance in this series. But they clearly ran out of gas in Game 7 and have few assets to improve the team in the offseason.

What to watch for Game 1 of the second round against the Thunder: I have no idea how Denver is going to turn around and play Monday night in Oklahoma City after the toll this series took on the roster. The Nuggets have actually fared well against the Thunder this year, splitting the season series 2-2. The first two games were played the first month of the season in Denver, the second two games were a back to back in Oklahoma City in March in which voters were deciding between the top two MVP candidates, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic. The expectation is the results of that voting will be announced during the second round, adding an interesting wrinkle to the debate. It's also a fascinating matchup on the court with Jokic matching up against a formidable frontcourt in Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren. Former Thunder star Russell Westbrook returns hoping to play another spoiler role -- he dispatched another of his former teams, the Clippers, in the first round. -- Ramona Shelburne

play

0:30

Westbrook blows a layup, Powell hits dagger 3

After Russell Westbrook blows a layup, the Clippers go downcourt and get a Norman Powell 3-pointer to go up nine late in the fourth.

(7) Golden State Warriors tied with
(2) Houston Rockets 3-3

Game 6: Rockets 115, Warriors 107

What we learned:

Veteran Houston guard Fred VanVleet knocked down a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 6:49 remaining to put the Rockets up by 12 points, a cushion their defense took full advantage of in Game 6. Houston forced Game 7 on Sunday at Toyota Center with a 115-107 victory over the Warriors. All series, Golden State devoted significant defensive resources to shut down shooting guard Jalen Green, who finished with 12 points on 3-of-11 shooting, while choosing to play the percentages with VanVleet. The 31-year-old has made the Warriors pay, going 18-of-27 from 3-point range over his past three contests. Leading 86-84 to start the third quarter, VanVleet sparked a 6-0 Houston run by completing a four-point play just six seconds into the frame. VanVleet has scored at least 25 points in three consecutive playoff games for the first time in his career, while Alperen Sengun added 20 points and Amen Thompson chipped in 14 points. Now, the teams head into Sunday's Game 7, where Golden State owns the edge in experience. Warriors players have participated in a combined 19 Game 7s, compared with 10 such outings for Houston's VanVleet, Jeff Green, Steven Adams and Aaron Holiday.

-- Michael C. Wright

play

2:45

Impressive Rockets contain Warriors to force Game 7

The Rockets dominate the Warriors throughout Game 6 to set up a series-decider in Houston on Sunday.

Game 7: Warriors at Rockets (Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET, TNT)

What to watch:

Golden State has shockingly blown its 3-1 cushion and now has to win a Game 7 in what will be a hostile Toyota Center atmosphere. The Warriors' offense looked sluggish against Houston's defense. Golden State opened the fourth quarter shooting 1-for-15 and was outscored at one point 20-5. The Warriors have been outplayed by Houston in two straight games and have been unable to get Stephen Curry free of the Rockets' defense when it matters. Now, they have to win in a place where they trailed by as many as 31 points with the starters on the floor in the third quarter of Game 5 on Wednesday. If the Warriors' championship pedigree is going to make a difference, now is the time. Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler III have played in these do-or-die games. Curry and Green have played in five Game 7s, while Butler has been in four. But how much does the Warriors' Big Three have left in the tank? Curry and Butler logged 42 minutes and Green played 37 minutes in Game 6 and will have one day off before Game 7. Curry and Butler need offensive help, but where will it come from?

-- Ohm Youngmisuk

(6) Minnesota Timberwolves win series over
(3) Los Angeles Lakers 4-1

Game 5: Timberwolves 103, Lakers 96

What we learned:

Lakers coach JJ Redick decided to not start a center, and Rudy Gobert and the Timberwolves absolutely feasted on the interior to take the series in five games.

After totaling 14 points and 25 rebounds through the first four games, Gobert destroyed the Lakers with 27 points on 12-for-15 shooting and 24 rebounds in the clincher. He became the fifth player in the past 20 seasons to post a 25-20 line in a closeout game, joining Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Dirk Nowitzki and Shaquille O'Neal.

The Lakers played with grit, blanketing Minnesota's shooters into a 7-for-47 (14.9%) night from 3 (including 0-for-11 for Anthony Edwards) -- marking the worst 3-point shooting percentage in a playoff game in NBA history (minimum 40 attempts).

Luka Doncic (back) and LeBron James (left knee) both logged 40 minutes to give the Lakers a chance, but the Wolves' bench production, outscoring L.A. 22-4, combined with the points-in-the-paint battle (56-40) proved too much.

Minnesota, which has won 21 of its past 26 games dating back to the last quarter of the regular season, will be a formidable challenge to either Golden State or Houston. And the Lakers, as if it wasn't obvious already, head into the offseason in dire need of a big man Redick will trust in a playoff game.

-- Dave McMenamin

play

2:21

LeBron, Lakers eliminated by Gobert-inspired Wolves

Rudy Gobert's Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Los Angeles Lakers 103-96 to secure a 4-1 series win.

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder win series over
(8) Memphis Grizzlies 4-0

Game 4: Thunder 117, Grizzlies 115

What we learned:

Overall top-seeded Oklahoma City made quick work of Memphis, sweeping the Grizzlies, who haven't won a playoff series since 2022 and didn't beat a Western Conference team with a winning record after January. Likely MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had his first efficient scoring performance of the series in the finale, finishing with 38 points on 13-of-24 shooting. With Ja Morant out, the Grizzlies couldn't handle the Thunder's tenacious defensive pressure, committing 22 turnovers that Oklahoma City converted into 32 points. Now, the Thunder will get some rest and await the winner of the Nuggets-Clippers series.

-- Tim MacMahon

play

0:18

SGA sends OKC into the second round with a game-sealing jumper

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hits a sweet jumper to complete OKC's sweep over the Grizzlies.