Honestly, if you're a Clippers fan, just hearing the words "Game 3" against the Denver Nuggets probably triggers some sort of weird sports PTSD. It’s the game that feels like a pivot point every single time these two teams meet. Whether we’re talking about the 2020 "Bubble" collapse or the more recent 2025 playoff showdown, Clippers vs Nuggets Game 3 is where things usually get weird, dramatic, and occasionally heartbreaking.
You’ve got two teams that basically represent opposite ends of the basketball philosophy spectrum. On one side, you have the Clippers—perpetually built for "win now" mode with star power like Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. On the other, the Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokic, a man who looks like he’s playing at 50% speed but somehow manages to dismantle entire defenses with a single flick of his wrist.
The 2025 Playoff Twist: Revenge at the Intuit Dome
Fast forward to April 24, 2025. The atmosphere was electric. This was the first ever playoff win at the brand-new Intuit Dome, and the Clippers weren't about to let the Nuggets ruin the housewarming party. They absolutely hammered Denver 117-83.
It was a bloodbath.
Kawhi Leonard looked like the 2019 version of himself, putting up 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists. But the real story was the depth. James Harden and Norman Powell both chipped in 20. It felt like the Clippers had finally figured out the "Joker" puzzle, even though Jokic still managed a triple-double with 23 points, 13 boards, and 13 assists.
The crazy thing? Even after a 34-point blowout in Game 3, Nuggets fans weren't worried. Why? Because history has shown that Denver doesn't care about a 2-1 deficit. Or a 3-1 deficit. Basically, if they aren't completely eliminated, they're still in the game.
Remembering the "Middle Finger" Block of 2020
We can't talk about Clippers vs Nuggets Game 3 without going back to September 7, 2020. This was the Disney World Bubble. No fans, just pure basketball and the squeaking of sneakers.
The Clippers won that Game 3 as well, taking a 2-1 lead with a 113-107 victory. Paul George was absolutely unconscious, dropping 32 points on 12-of-18 shooting. But the image everyone remembers—the one that launched a thousand memes—was Kawhi Leonard’s block on Jamal Murray.
Murray went up for a massive dunk that would have shifted the momentum. Kawhi met him at the rim. He didn't just block it; he blocked it with his middle finger. The strength required to stuff a professional athlete's dunk with a single digit is just... it's not human.
At that moment, the Clippers looked like locks for the Western Conference Finals. They had the lead. They had the momentum. They had the "Claw." Of course, we know how that ended. The Nuggets won the next three games, and the Clippers’ title hopes vanished into the humid Florida air.
The Nikola Jokic Factor
What makes this specific matchup so difficult for LA is the sheer unpredictability of Nikola Jokic. Most superstars have a "spot." You know where Kobe wanted the ball. You know where Steph wants to shoot.
Jokic? He wants the ball everywhere and nowhere.
In their most recent January 2026 regular-season encounters, we've seen him continue this trend. He'll spend three quarters looking like he’s more interested in his horses back in Serbia, and then suddenly, he has 35 points, 15 rebounds, and a win.
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Why the Clippers Struggle to Adjust
- The Size Problem: Ivica Zubac is a great defender, but he’s one man. When the Nuggets go to their "high-low" sets with Aaron Gordon, the Clippers' perimeter-heavy lineup gets stretched thin.
- The Murray Flurry: Jamal Murray is the ultimate "Game 3" player. He has this uncanny ability to hit contested, fadeaway jumpers that just demoralize the opposing bench.
- The Mental Hurdle: You can’t tell me the Clippers aren't thinking about 2020. Every time the Nuggets start a run in the second half of a Game 3, you can almost see the "here we go again" look on the faces of the LA faithful.
What Really Happened with the 2025 Momentum?
The 117-83 win in the 2025 playoffs was supposed to be the "changing of the guard" moment. It was a statement. But the Nuggets are like a horror movie villain that just keeps walking toward you. No matter how many points you're up by, you never feel safe.
James Harden actually spoke about this after the game, noting that the Clippers had to "stay aggressive" because Denver never stops running their sets. That’s the thing about the Nuggets—they don’t get rattled. They play the same way whether they’re up 20 or down 20.
Actionable Insights for the Next Meeting
If you’re betting on the next Clippers vs Nuggets Game 3 or just watching with friends, here is what actually matters. Forget the jerseys and the hype. Look at these three things:
- The First 6 Minutes of the 3rd Quarter: This is where Denver usually makes their move. If the Clippers can't hold a lead here, they’re in trouble.
- The "Non-Jokic" Minutes: When Nikola sits, can the Clippers build a double-digit lead? If they only break even when the MVP is on the bench, they've already lost.
- Corner Three Percentage: The Clippers live and die by the three. In their Game 3 wins, they usually shoot over 40% from the corners. In their losses? It’s usually sub-30%.
The rivalry is far from over. With the Nuggets visiting the Intuit Dome again soon and the regular season heating up in early 2026, the history of Game 3 will continue to loom large over both franchises.
Watch the rotation of the Clippers' wing defenders. If Ty Lue starts switching Kawhi onto Jokic early, you know LA is desperate. If they let Zubac play him straight up, they’re confident. Either way, it’s going to be a stressful night for anyone wearing blue and red.
Stay tuned for the January 30, 2026, matchup in Denver. It might not be a playoff game, but the way these two play, it’ll feel like one. Make sure your streaming service is logged in early—you don't want to miss the opening tip.