Denver Nuggets vs LA Clippers 2026 | Comparison
The Denver Nuggets are the defending NBA champions with a 2023 title and feature MVP Nikola Jokic, while the LA Clippers are a perennial contender with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George but have never won a championship. The Nuggets have superior recent playoff success and individual star power, while the Clippers remain a strong Western Conference competitor.
Denver Nuggets
2023 NBA Champions with a historically great MVP-caliber point guard and established winning culture.
Fans seeking the most talented roster with a proven champion core and best individual superstar talent
LA Clippers
Western Conference competitor with two All-Star wings but no championship history
Fans interested in a strong contender with high ceiling but prefer a team without championship burden and fewer expectations
Quick Answer
AI SummaryThe Denver Nuggets are the defending NBA champions with a 2023 title and feature MVP Nikola Jokic, while the LA Clippers are a perennial contender with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George but have never won a championship. The Nuggets have superior recent playoff success and individual star power, while the Clippers remain a strong Western Conference competitor.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedThe Denver Nuggets are the superior team as of 2026, with Nikola Jokic's MVP-caliber play, a recent championship pedigree, and proven playoff success making them the Western Conference's top contender. Choose the Nuggets if you want to follow the most dominant team with the best individual star; choose the Clippers if you prefer a secondary contender with strong two-way talent and championship aspirations despite recent playoff struggles.
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Best pickFans seeking the most talented roster with a proven champion core and best individual superstar talent
Choose LA Clippers if
Fans interested in a strong contender with high ceiling but prefer a team without championship burden and fewer expectations
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Key Differences at a Glance
- NBA Championships:✓ Denver Nuggets wins(1 (2023) vs 0)
- Current MVP on Roster:✓ Denver Nuggets wins(Nikola Jokic (2024 MVP) vs None)
- Western Conference Finals Appearances (Last 5 Years):✓ Denver Nuggets wins(3 (2021, 2022, 2023) vs 1 (2021))
Key Facts & Figures
51 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Denver Nuggets | LA Clippers | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nikola Jokic Points Per Game (2025-26)(PPG) | 27.2 | N/A | — |
| Kawhi Leonard Points Per Game (2025-26)(PPG) | N/A | 24.8 | — |
| Team Offensive Rating (2025-26)(Points per 100 possessions) | 113.8 | 115.2 | |
| Team Defensive Rating (2025-26)(Points per 100 possessions) | 107.2 | 110.5 | |
| Championships Won(titles) | 1 (2023) | 0 | |
| Jamal Murray / Paul George Assists (2025-26)(APG) | 7.8 (Murray) | 9.1 (PG) | |
| Three-Point Shooting Percentage(%) | 37.2% | 37.2% | |
| Average Team Payroll (2025-26)(Million USD) | $182M | $188M | |
| Nikola Jokic Points Per Game(PPG) | 33.6 PPG | — | — |
| Team Defensive Rating(points per 100 possessions) | 112.8 | — | — |
| 2023-24 Win-Loss Record(Wins) | 57-25 | — | — |
| Average Team Age(years) | 27.8 years | — | — |
| Offensive Rating(points per 100 possessions) | 118.3 | 119.8 | |
| Playoff Appearances (Last 5 Years)(seasons) | 5 (all 5 years) | — | — |
| Championship Titles(titles) | 1 | 0 | |
| Defensive Rating(points per 100 possessions) | 109.2 | 112.1 | |
| Net Rating(point differential per 100 possessions) | +7.7 | +7.7 | |
| Bench Scoring(points per game) | 28.4 | 22.1 | |
| Three-Point Percentage(%) | 37.8% | 39.2% | |
| Final Score(points) | 129 | — | — |
| Aaron Gordon Points(points) | 23 | — | — |
| Aaron Gordon Field Goal %(%) | 42.9% (6-14 FG) | — | — |
| Aaron Gordon Three-Point %(%) | 50% (2-4 3P) | — | — |
| Aaron Gordon Free Throw %(%) | 90% (9-10 FT) | — | — |
| Aaron Gordon Plus-Minus(rating) | +14 | — | — |
| NBA Championship Titles(championships) | 1 (2024) | 0 | |
| Offensive Efficiency Rating(points per 100 possessions) | 113.8 | 114.5 | |
| Defensive Efficiency Rating(points allowed per 100 possessions) | 108.9 | 110.2 | |
| Field Goal Percentage(%) | 50.1% | 47.3% | |
| Nikola Jokic vs Kawhi Leonard True Shooting %(%) | Nikola Jokic 63.4% | Kawhi Leonard 57.8% | |
| Playoff Finals Appearances (Franchise History)(Finals trips) | 3 (2023, 2024, 2009 runner-up) | 1 (2021) | |
| Team Offensive Rating(points per 100 possessions) | 117.3 | — | — |
| Payroll (2024-25)(million USD) | $195.7M | — | — |
| Average Roster Age(years) | 29.2 | — | — |
| NBA Finals Appearances (2022-2025)(appearances) | 2 | — | — |
| NBA Championships Won(Titles) | 1 (2023) | 0 | |
| 2023-2024 Regular Season Points Per Game(PPG) | 113.2 | 110.8 | |
| 2023-2024 Regular Season Defensive Rating(points per 100 possessions) | 111.6 | 113.2 | |
| MVP Awards (Current/Recent)(MVPs) | 1 (Nikola Jokic, 2024) | 0 | |
| Western Conference Finals Appearances (2021-2024)(appearances) | 3 | 1 | |
| All-Star Players on Roster (2024-2025)(players) | 3 | 2 | |
| Nikola Jokic vs Kawhi Leonard 2023-2024 PPG(PPG) | 30.1 (Jokic) | 23.8 (Leonard) | |
| Leading Scorer PPG Average(Points per game) | Nikola Jokic 27.8 PPG | — | — |
| MVP Awards (All-Time)(Awards) | 3 (Nikola Jokic 2021, 2022, 2024) | — | — |
| Core Roster Average Age(Years) | 30.1 years | — | — |
| Team Payroll(USD Millions) | $218 million | — | — |
| Points Per Game (2024-25)(PPG) | 119.3 | — | — |
| Defensive Rating (2024-25)(points per 100 possessions) | 109.8 | — | — |
| Leading Scorer Average (2024-25)(PPG) | 28.1 (Jokic) | — | — |
| Assists Per Game (2024-25)(APG) | 11.2 | — | — |
| Salary Cap Situation(USD millions) | $184 million (in luxury tax) | — | — |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- 1 (2023)(winner)NBA Championships0
- Nikola Jokic (2024 MVP)(winner)Current MVP on RosterNone
- 3 (2021, 2022, 2023)(winner)Western Conference Finals Appearances (Last 5 Years)1 (2021)
- 16-4(winner)Playoff Win-Loss Record (2023-2024 Season)6-11
- 113.2 PPG(winner)Average Points Per Game (2023-2024 Regular Season)110.8 PPG
- 3 (Jokic, Murray, Embark)(winner)All-Star Players on Roster2 (Leonard, George)
- 1976 (as Nuggets)Year Franchise Founded1970 (as Braves)(winner)
- NBA Championships
Denver Nuggets
1 (2023)(winner)
LA Clippers
0
- Current MVP on Roster
Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokic (2024 MVP)(winner)
LA Clippers
None
- Western Conference Finals Appearances (Last 5 Years)
Denver Nuggets
3 (2021, 2022, 2023)(winner)
LA Clippers
1 (2021)
- Playoff Win-Loss Record (2023-2024 Season)
Denver Nuggets
16-4(winner)
LA Clippers
6-11
- Average Points Per Game (2023-2024 Regular Season)
Denver Nuggets
113.2 PPG(winner)
LA Clippers
110.8 PPG
- All-Star Players on Roster
Denver Nuggets
3 (Jokic, Murray, Embark)(winner)
LA Clippers
2 (Leonard, George)
- Year Franchise Founded
Denver Nuggets
1976 (as Nuggets)
LA Clippers
1970 (as Braves)(winner)
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Denver Nuggets | LA Clippers |
|---|---|---|
| Nikola Jokic Points Per Game (2025-26)(PPG) | 27.2 | N/A |
| Kawhi Leonard Points Per Game (2025-26)(PPG) | N/A | 24.8 |
| Team Offensive Rating (2025-26)(Points per 100 possessions) | 113.8 | 115.2(winner) |
| Team Defensive Rating (2025-26)(Points per 100 possessions) | 107.2(winner) | 110.5 |
| Net Rating(point differential per 100 possessions) | +7.7 | +7.7 |
| Championships Won(titles) | 1 (2023)(winner) | 0 |
| Jamal Murray / Paul George Assists (2025-26)(APG) | 7.8 (Murray) | 9.1 (PG)(winner) |
| Three-Point Shooting Percentage(%) | 37.2% | 37.2% |
| Aaron Gordon Field Goal %(%) | 42.9% (6-14 FG) | — |
| Aaron Gordon Three-Point %(%) | 50% (2-4 3P) | — |
| Aaron Gordon Free Throw %(%) | 90% (9-10 FT) | — |
| Field Goal Percentage(%) | 50.1%(winner) | 47.3% |
| Average Team Payroll (2025-26)(Million USD) | $182M | $188M |
| Nikola Jokic Points Per Game(PPG) | 33.6 PPG | — |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Points Per Game(PPG) | N/A | — |
| Team Defensive Rating(points per 100 possessions) | 112.8 | — |
| Defensive Rating(points per 100 possessions) | 109.2(winner) | 112.1 |
| Defensive Efficiency Rating(points allowed per 100 possessions) | 108.9(winner) | 110.2 |
| 2023-2024 Regular Season Defensive Rating(points per 100 possessions) | 111.6(winner) | 113.2 |
| 2023-24 Win-Loss Record(Wins) | 57-25 | — |
| Average Team Age(years) | 27.8 years | — |
| Average Roster Age(years) | 29.2 | — |
| Offensive Rating(points per 100 possessions) | 118.3 | 119.8(winner) |
| Three-Point Percentage(%) | 37.8% | 39.2%(winner) |
| Team Offensive Rating(points per 100 possessions) | 117.3 | — |
| 2023-2024 Regular Season Points Per Game(PPG) | 113.2(winner) | 110.8 |
| Playoff Appearances (Last 5 Years)(seasons) | 5 (all 5 years) | — |
| Championship Titles(titles) | 1(winner) | 0 |
| NBA Championship Titles(championships) | 1 (2024)(winner) | 0 |
| Star Player (Primary) | Nikola Jokic (MVP) | Kawhi Leonard (Elite 2-Way) |
| Bench Scoring(points per game) | 28.4(winner) | 22.1 |
| Most Recent Playoff Round | Finals (2024) | Second Round (2024) |
| Final Score(points) | 129 | — |
| Location | Away - Denver, CO | — |
| Aaron Gordon Points(points) | 23 | — |
| Aaron Gordon Plus-Minus(rating) | +14 | — |
| Game-Winning Play | Jokic 3P (0:08 remaining) - 125-126 | — |
| 2024-25 Regular Season Record(wins-losses) | 35-18(winner) | 31-22 |
| Current Season Win-Loss Record(wins-losses) | 28-16 | — |
| Offensive Efficiency Rating(points per 100 possessions) | 113.8 | 114.5(winner) |
| Nikola Jokic vs Kawhi Leonard True Shooting %(%) | Nikola Jokic 63.4%(winner) | Kawhi Leonard 57.8% |
| Playoff Finals Appearances (Franchise History)(Finals trips) | 3 (2023, 2024, 2009 runner-up)(winner) | 1 (2021) |
| Nikola Jokic vs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Best Player Comparison)(PPG / APG / eFG%) | 29.1 PPG / 9.0 APG / 66.3% eFG% (Jokic) | — |
| Payroll (2024-25)(million USD) | $195.7M | — |
| NBA Finals Appearances (2022-2025)(appearances) | 2 | — |
| Western Conference Finals Appearances (2021-2024)(appearances) | 3(winner) | 1 |
| Chet Holmgren Block Rate(blocks per game) | N/A | — |
| NBA Championships Won(Titles) | 1 (2023)(winner) | 0 |
| MVP Awards (All-Time)(Awards) | 3 (Nikola Jokic 2021, 2022, 2024) | — |
| MVP Awards (Current/Recent)(MVPs) | 1 (Nikola Jokic, 2024)(winner) | 0 |
| 2024 Playoff Series Record(wins-losses) | 16-4 | 6-11 |
| All-Star Players on Roster (2024-2025)(players) | 3(winner) | 2 |
| Nikola Jokic vs Kawhi Leonard 2023-2024 PPG(PPG) | 30.1 (Jokic)(winner) | 23.8 (Leonard) |
| 2024-25 Regular Season Win-Loss Record(Wins-Losses) | 29-15 | — |
| Leading Scorer PPG Average(Points per game) | Nikola Jokic 27.8 PPG | — |
| Core Roster Average Age(Years) | 30.1 years | — |
| Team Payroll(USD Millions) | $218 million | — |
| Points Per Game (2024-25)(PPG) | 119.3 | — |
| Defensive Rating (2024-25)(points per 100 possessions) | 109.8 | — |
| Leading Scorer Average (2024-25)(PPG) | 28.1 (Jokic) | — |
| Assists Per Game (2024-25)(APG) | 11.2 | — |
| Salary Cap Situation(USD millions) | $184 million (in luxury tax) | — |
Denver NuggetsPros & Cons
9 pros·5 cons across both
Denver Nuggets
Pros
- Nikola Jokic is a legitimate MVP candidate with elite playmaking and scoring (30+ PPG, 9+ APG)
- Back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances (2022, 2023) with championship victory in 2023
- Jamal Murray is an All-Star caliber guard with playoff experience and clutch scoring ability
- Strong defensive depth with Michael Porter Jr. and defensive specialists
- High offensive efficiency ranking 2nd in the NBA (2023-2024 season at 118.2 ORtg)
Cons
- Injury concerns with key players (Murray missed significant games in 2023-2024)
- Limited depth at backup centers creates vulnerability in playoff rotations
LA Clippers
Pros
- Kawhi Leonard is a two-time NBA Finals MVP with elite two-way defense and mid-range shot
- Paul George provides secondary All-Star scoring and defensive capability (18+ PPG)
- Solid depth with players like Ivica Zubac providing quality backup center minutes
- Developed strong offensive identity with pick-and-roll execution and three-point shooting
Cons
- Zero NBA championships in franchise history despite playoff appearances and All-Star talent
- Playoff underperformance: 6-11 record in 2024 postseason despite high expectations
- Kawhi Leonard injury history limits games played and playoff reliability
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
No, the LA Clippers have never won an NBA championship in franchise history. Despite reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2021 and assembling All-Star rosters, they have not captured a title. The Clippers lost to the Phoenix Suns in the 2021 Conference Finals when Chris Paul was with them.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Wikipedia
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