Dec 6, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) shoots the ball against LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) and center Ivica Zubac (40) in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Lakers Legend Magic Johnson Makes Clippers-Nuggets Playoff Prediction

Originally posted on Los Angeles Clippers on SI
By Jeremy Lambert | Last updated Apr 17, 2025 10:52 PM ET

The Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers are set to clash in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs in one of the most anticipated series of the playoffs.

Both teams finished with identical 50-32 records, but the Nuggets will have home court advantage as the four seed due to the tiebreaker.

Los Angeles Lakers Hall of Famer Ervin "Magic" Johnson said about the series, "Basketball fans, buckle up for the West. The Nuggets vs. Clippers will be a 7-game thriller! I can’t pick a winner but I think the Clippers finished the season playing their best basketball!"

Basketball fans, buckle up for the West. The Nuggets vs. Clippers will be a 7-game thriller! I can’t pick a winner but I think the Clippers finished the season playing their best basketball!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 18, 2025

The Clippers finished the season on an eight-game win streak, including an OT thriller against the Golden State Warriors on the final day of the season to secure the fifth seed. Since March 5th, the Clippers have gone 18-3 with two of their three losses coming to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Nuggets closed on a three-game win stream after firing head coach Michael Malone. Malone's dismissal came following a four-game losing streak. David Adelman took over as head coach for the team, leading them to wins over the Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies, and Houston Rockets to secure the fourth seed in the West.

The Nuggets and Clippers split the season series, with each team winning two games. Kawhi Leonard did not play in any of the four meetings.

Game One between the Nuggets and Clippers takes place on Saturday, April 19.

This article first appeared on Los Angeles Clippers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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