Who would win in a playoff series between these teams?

The Denver Nuggets would likely prevail in a seven-game series due to their superior defense, roster depth, and championship experience. However, the Clippers could win in a shorter format if Kawhi Leonard and Paul George perform at peak efficiency. The Nuggets' ability to control games through Jokic's playmaking and their bench scoring would be decisive over a full series.

How do the star players compare?

Nikola Jokic is the reigning MVP with elite skills in every facet (scoring, playmaking, rebounding, defense), making him arguably the best player in basketball. Kawhi Leonard is an elite two-way player with sharper scoring instincts, but Jokic's overall impact and floor-raising ability exceed Leonard's. Paul George provides crucial secondary scoring for the Clippers that Jamal Murray mirrors for Denver.

What is each team's main weakness?

The Nuggets' main concern is depth of elite offensive weapons beyond their top two players and potential aging of core players. The Clippers' biggest issue is bench depth—they heavily rely on their two stars and lack consistent contributors beyond them, making them vulnerable to foul trouble or offensive cold stretches.

Which team has the better defense?

The Denver Nuggets have a superior defense with a 110.5 defensive rating compared to the Clippers' 112.1. Denver's defense is anchored by elite two-way play from Jokic and strong perimeter defense from Murray and role players. The Clippers struggle more with consistency on defense despite Leonard's elite individual defense.

Can the Clippers realistically win a championship?

Yes, the Clippers have the star power to win a championship, particularly if Kawhi Leonard and Paul George remain healthy throughout the playoffs. However, they must significantly improve their bench depth and defensive consistency to compete with elite teams like the Nuggets. Their path is narrower and more reliant on star performance compared to Denver's balanced approach.

Denver Nuggets vs LA Clippers

Updated March 28, 2026

Denver Nuggets

Western Conference team that fell just short in an exciting road loss

Fans valuing consistent excellence, defense, and proven championship DNA

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LA Clippers

Western Conference contenders with superstar duo Leonard and George

Fans who enjoy star-driven offense and explosive scoring performances

Short Answer

The Denver Nuggets are the defending NBA champions with a star-studded roster led by Jokic, while the LA Clippers are a competitive Western Conference team with their own superstar duo. The Nuggets have superior championship pedigree and consistency, whereas the Clippers rely on star power and offensive firepower.

Our Verdict

The Denver Nuggets hold the edge as the defending NBA champions with proven playoff success, elite defense, and well-balanced roster depth. The LA Clippers possess more potent offensive firepower and star talent but lack championship experience and depth. The matchup heavily favors Denver's consistency and chemistry, though the Clippers remain dangerous in single-elimination scenarios.

Denver Nuggets7.5

7.5LA Clippers

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Key Differences at a Glance

🔹

Championship Titles: Denver Nuggets wins (1 (2023) vs 0)

🔹

All-NBA Players: 2 (Jokic, Murray) vs 2 (Leonard, George)

🔹

Offensive Rating (2025-26): LA Clippers wins (119.8 vs 118.2)

See all 7 differences

Key Facts & Figures

Metric	Denver Nuggets	LA Clippers	Diff
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	-1%
Team Defensive Rating (2025-26)(Points per 100 possessions)

Key Differences

Denver Nuggets

Attribute

LA Clippers

1 (2023)🏆

Championship Titles

2 (Jokic, Murray)

All-NBA Players

2 (Leonard, George)

118.2

Offensive Rating (2025-26)

119.8🏆

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Last updated: March 28, 2026AI generated

Championship Titles

Denver Nuggets

1 (2023)🏆

LA Clippers

All-NBA Players

Denver Nuggets

2 (Jokic, Murray)

LA Clippers

2 (Leonard, George)

Offensive Rating (2025-26)

Denver Nuggets

118.2

LA Clippers

119.8🏆

Defensive Rating (2025-26)

Denver Nuggets

110.5🏆

LA Clippers

112.1

Playoff Success (Recent)

Denver Nuggets

Champions 2023, Finals 2024🏆

LA Clippers

Second Round 2024

Star Player Era Start

Denver Nuggets

2018 (Jokic drafted)

LA Clippers

2017 (Leonard traded)

Bench Strength

Denver Nuggets

Strong depth🏆

LA Clippers

Limited rotation

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
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(%)	36.8	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)	—

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(DRTG)	108.2	—

2023-24 Win-Loss Record(Wins)	57-25	—

NBA Championship Titles(Titles)	1 (2023)	—

Average Team Age(years)	27.8 years	—

Offensive Rating(points per 100 possessions)	118.2	119.8

Playoff Appearances (Last 5 Years)(appearances)	5 of 5	—

Championship Titles(titles)	1	0

Defensive Rating(points per 100 possessions)	110.5	112.1

Net Rating(points per 100 possessions)	+7.7	+7.7

Star Player (Primary)	Nikola Jokic (MVP)	Kawhi Leonard (Elite 2-Way)

Bench Scoring(points per game)	28.4	22.1

Three-Point Percentage(percent)	37.8%	39.2%

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	—

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

Team Defensive Rating (2025-26)(Points per 100 possessions)

107.2

110.5

Championships Won(titles)

1 (2023)

Jamal Murray / Paul George Assists (2025-26)(APG)

7.8 (Murray)

9.1 (PG)

Three-Point Shooting Percentage(%)

36.8

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)

—

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(DRTG)

108.2

—

2023-24 Win-Loss Record(Wins)

57-25

—

NBA Championship Titles(Titles)

1 (2023)

—

Average Team Age(years)

27.8 years

—

Offensive Rating(points per 100 possessions)

118.2

119.8

Playoff Appearances (Last 5 Years)(appearances)

5 of 5

—

Championship Titles(titles)

Defensive Rating(points per 100 possessions)

110.5

112.1

Net Rating(points per 100 possessions)

+7.7

Star Player (Primary)

Nikola Jokic (MVP)

Kawhi Leonard (Elite 2-Way)

Bench Scoring(points per game)

28.4

22.1

Three-Point Percentage(percent)

37.8%

39.2%

Most Recent Playoff Round

Finals (2024)

Second Round (2024)

Final Score(points)

129

—

Location

Away - Denver, CO

—

Aaron Gordon Points(points)

—

Aaron Gordon Plus-Minus(rating)

+14

—

Game-Winning Play

Jokic 3P (0:08 remaining) - 125-126

—

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
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(%)	36.8	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)	—

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(DRTG)	108.2	—

2023-24 Win-Loss Record(Wins)	57-25	—

NBA Championship Titles(Titles)	1 (2023)	—

Average Team Age(years)	27.8 years	—

Offensive Rating(points per 100 possessions)	118.2	119.8

Playoff Appearances (Last 5 Years)(appearances)	5 of 5	—

Championship Titles(titles)	1	0

Defensive Rating(points per 100 possessions)	110.5	112.1

Net Rating(points per 100 possessions)	+7.7	+7.7

Star Player (Primary)	Nikola Jokic (MVP)	Kawhi Leonard (Elite 2-Way)

Bench Scoring(points per game)	28.4	22.1

Three-Point Percentage(percent)	37.8%	39.2%

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	—

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

Team Defensive Rating (2025-26)(Points per 100 possessions)

107.2

110.5

Championships Won(titles)

1 (2023)

Jamal Murray / Paul George Assists (2025-26)(APG)

7.8 (Murray)

9.1 (PG)

Three-Point Shooting Percentage(%)

36.8

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)

—

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(DRTG)

108.2

—

2023-24 Win-Loss Record(Wins)

57-25

—

NBA Championship Titles(Titles)

1 (2023)

—

Average Team Age(years)

27.8 years

—

Offensive Rating(points per 100 possessions)

118.2

119.8

Playoff Appearances (Last 5 Years)(appearances)

5 of 5

—

Championship Titles(titles)

Defensive Rating(points per 100 possessions)

110.5

112.1

Net Rating(points per 100 possessions)

+7.7

Star Player (Primary)

Nikola Jokic (MVP)

Kawhi Leonard (Elite 2-Way)

Bench Scoring(points per game)

28.4

22.1

Three-Point Percentage(percent)

37.8%

39.2%

Most Recent Playoff Round

Finals (2024)

Second Round (2024)

Final Score(points)

129

—

Location

Away - Denver, CO

—

Aaron Gordon Points(points)

—

Aaron Gordon Plus-Minus(rating)

+14

—

Game-Winning Play

Jokic 3P (0:08 remaining) - 125-126

—

Denver Nuggets vs LA Clippers

Denver Nuggets

LA Clippers

Short Answer

Our Verdict

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Denver Nuggets vs LA Clippers

Denver Nuggets

LA Clippers

Short Answer

Our Verdict

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Key Differences

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Denver Nuggets

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