NBA score yesterday: Los Angeles Clippers force Game 7 vs Denver Nuggets as Minnesota Timberwolves eliminate Lakers in five

The playoff scene in the Western Conference is changing quickly, and Thursday night highlighted that. The Los Angeles Clippers fought hard to avoid elimination, pulling off a win against the Denver Nuggets and pushing it to Game 7. On the flip side, the Los Angeles Lakers struggled, with Rudy Gobert delivering an outstanding postseason performance that led the Minnesota Timberwolves to clinch the series in Game 5. Two games, two contrasting narratives — both influencing the next round of the playoffs.
The Los Angeles Clippers pulled off a 111–105 win against the Denver Nuggets, proving their veteran savvy and timely contributions. James Harden came back strong from a quiet Game 5, racking up 28 points and eight assists, while Kawhi Leonard added 27 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. Norman Powell was the key player off the bench, scoring 24 points and hitting important shots late in the game as Denver tried to close the gap.

Ivica Zubac played great defense, limiting Nikola Jokić to only five points, two rebounds, and four assists in the second half. The Clippers went on a 12-0 run in the third quarter, which gave them enough of a lead to hold off Denver's comeback in the fourth. Now, the series moves back to Denver for a Game 7, where the winner will face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the next round.
In Los Angeles, the Minnesota Timberwolves clinched their series with a 103–96 victory against the Lakers, thanks to Rudy Gobert's best playoff performance so far. The four-time Defensive Player of the Year scored 27 points on 12-of-15 shooting and grabbed 24 rebounds, with nine of those being offensive boards.
With the Los Angeles Lakers down in the series, they had to switch to a smaller lineup when JJ Redick benched both of his regular centers. This gave Gobert a huge size advantage, which he took full advantage of all game long. Anthony Edwards had a tough night shooting (5-of-19 for 12 points), but he still contributed with 11 rebounds, eight assists, and three steals.

Luka Doncic fought through a back injury to score 28 points, dish out nine assists, and grab seven rebounds, but the Lakers' weak inside game cost them. Now, the Timberwolves are set to face whoever wins the Warriors-Rockets matchup in the next round.
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The Clippers have one last chance to keep their playoff hopes alive in Game 7, while the Lakers wrap up their season with more uncertainties than clarity. From Harden's impressive comeback to Gobert's surprising scoring spree, Thursday night showed that every playoff game can change the story.