Clippers falter down the stretch, lose to Nuggets in Game 5

  • Lou Williams #23 of the LA Clippers and the LA Clippers bench react during the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets reacts during the fourth quarter against the LA Clippers in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

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  • Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball during the fourth quarter against the LA Clippers in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets defends Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers during the fourth quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Paul Millsap #4 of the Denver Nuggets fouls Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers during the fourth quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Mason Plumlee #7 of the Denver Nuggets dunks the ball during the fourth quarter against the LA Clippers in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers reacts against Mason Plumlee #7 of the Denver Nuggets d4 in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Marcus Morris Sr. #31 of the LA Clippers and Paul Millsap #4 of the Denver Nuggets get into a scuffle during the second quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket against Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball over Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers during the fourth quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket during the fourth quarter against Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers dunks over Paul Millsap #4 of the Denver Nuggets during the second quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets shoots over Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers and Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers during the third quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers defends against Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers shoots the ball as Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets defends during the second quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers reacts during the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Marcus Morris Sr. #31 of the LA Clippers reacts during the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Doc Rivers of the LA Clippers reacts during the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Paul Millsap #4 of the Denver Nuggets and Marcus Morris Sr. #31 of the LA Clippers fight for a loose ball during the second quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Jerami Grant #9 of the Denver Nuggets and Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets help each other up during the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers drives the ball against Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers shoots the ball against the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers reacts during the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball as Marcus Morris Sr. #31 of the LA Clippers defends during the third quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers reacts during the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers reacts during the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • JaMychal Green #4 of the LA Clippers uses the Hypervolt Plus on the bench during the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Torrey Craig #3 of the Denver Nuggets drives the ball against Landry Shamet #20 of the LA Clippers during the third quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets reacts during the second quarter against the LA Clippers in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers and Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets scramble for a loose ball during the first quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Mason Plumlee #7 of the Denver Nuggets drives the ball against Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers during the first quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Torrey Craig #3 of the Denver Nuggets drives to the basket against JaMychal Green #4 of the LA Clippers during the second quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Torrey Craig #3 of the Denver Nuggets fights for possession against Lou Williams #23 of the LA Clippers during the second quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Mason Plumlee #7 of the Denver Nuggets drives the ball against Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers during the second quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Marcus Morris Sr. #31 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket over Paul Millsap #4 of the Denver Nuggets during the first quarterin Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers drives the ball against Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball over Landry Shamet #20 of the LA Clippers during the first quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Paul Millsap #4 of the Denver Nuggets and Marcus Morris Sr. #31 of the LA Clippers and Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers battle for a rebound during the first quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers reacts during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers defends Gary Harris #14 of the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers and Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during tip-off in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • The LA Clippers kneel during the national anthem prior to the start of the game against Denver Nuggets in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • The LA Clippers and Denver Nuggets kneel during the National Anthem in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

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And the city of L.A. is still two wins away from a potential Clippers-Lakers showdown in the Western Conference Finals.

Before the game, Clippers coach Doc Rivers knew better than to celebrate or start scheming for the next foe, cautioning that “it makes no sense to focus on what happens after it, you have to do it, and that’s been my philosophy and that’s what we have to do.”

Alas, they didn’t do it. Not against the resilient Denver Nuggets on Friday, anyway.

After relinquishing control in a 111-105 Game 5 loss, the Clippers lead their Western Conference semifinals series 3-2 — and remain one tantalizing win away from the franchise’s first berth in a conference finals series.

The Nuggets trailed by as many as 16 points and 80-73 entering the fourth quarter, when they yanked back momentum with a 38-point fourth quarter, which included a barrage of seven 3-pointers and a few huge plays from rookie Michael Porter Jr., who drew ire for his public criticism of his team after Wednesday’s loss.

On Friday, Porter played the entirety of the fourth quarter and contributed seven points, three rebounds and an assist and a block in the frame and Nikola Jokic made all four of his shots for 11 points, as Denver extended its stay in the bubble at least one more game. Jokic finished with 22 points, Jamal Murray had 26 and Paul Millsap gave the Nuggets a big lift with 17 points.

The Clippers squandered another magnificent effort from Kawhi Leonard, who finished with 36 points on 12-of-24 shooting, to go with nine rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Paul George had 26 points and Marcus Morris Sr. had 12 and Patrick Beverley 10.

“We started gambling way too much on defense, and stopped moving the ball on offense,” Rivers said. “Like, they’re not gonna go away.”

Already this postseason, Denver proved itself a tough out, rallying from a 3-1 deficit to defeat Utah in the first round. On Friday afternoon, coach Michael Malone hoped his team could again find a way to “hang out with Mickey Mouse a little bit longer” in the bubble.

He got his wish.

None of the current Clippers players were with the team in 2015 when Rivers’ squad led its series against Houston 3-2 and had a 19-point third-quarter lead and a 13-point advantage entering the fourth, before the Rockets, who’d trailed the series 3-1, rallied for the 119-107 victory — and then the series victory, 4-3, something Clippers fans haven’t forgotten, even with the roster overhauls and refreshed expectations.

More to come on this story.

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