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2025 NBA Playoffs: How to watch the L.A. Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets game tonight

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Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets will face the L.A. Clippers in Game 5 of the NBA Playoffs tonight, here’s how to watch.

Of all the NBA Playoff series this year, so far the most evenly matched seems to be the Denver Nuggets vs. L.A. Clippers. The series is currently 2-2, with the Nuggets winning Game 4 by just two points thanks to a buzzer-beating dunk from Aaron Gordon. Game 5 is set to tip off tonight at 10 p.m. at Denver’s Ball Arena. Which team will take the lead in the series? We’ll have to wait and see. Here’s everything you need to know about how to tune in to the Nuggets vs. Clippers game tonight, and how to watch the 2025 NBA Playoffs.

How to watch the Clippers vs. Nuggets Game 5:

Watch TNT, ESPN, NBA TV, local ABC and more

DirecTV MySports Pack

Try free at DirecTV

Watch ESPN, ESPN3, TNT

Sling Orange

$36 for your first month at Sling

Date: Tuesday, April 29

Time: 10 p.m. ET

TV channel: TNT

Streaming: Max, Sling, DirecTV and more

Where to watch the Clippers vs. Nuggets game:

You can tune into the Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers game on TNT, which is available on platforms like DirecTV, Sling, and Hulu with Live TV. The game will also be streaming on Max.

NBA Playoffs channel:

The NBA Playoffs will air across ESPN, ABC, TNT and NBA TV.

How to watch the NBA Playoffs without cable:

Watch TNT, ESPN and more

DirecTV MySports Pack

DIRECTV’s MySports pack is a curated live TV package geared toward sports fans, with access to ESPN’s suite of channels, TBS, TNT, USA, FS1 and an included subscription to ESPN+ for $69.99/month. The MySports pack guarantees access to thousands of live televised events, plus all the live-streaming and library content on ESPN+, all on one interface and one bill. You can try it for free for five days before committing.

Try free at DirecTV Stream

NBA games on TNT

Max Standard plan

Max, aka “the one to watch,” has select live sports available through its Bleacher Report Sports add-on, which is included free of charge for ad-free Max subscribers. On top of NBA games on TBS, TNT and TruTV, Max has buzzy shows including The Pitt, The White Lotus, The Last of Us, House of the Dragon, Dune: Prophecy and more. Ad-supported Max starts at $10/month. The Standard plan (which includes B/R Sports free of charge) costs $17/month.

$16.99/month at Max

Watch ESPN, ESPN3, TNT

Sling Orange

While Sling doesn’t offer a free trial these days, the playoffs will last longer than any free trial anyway. With Sling Orange, you can get access to playoff games on ESPN, ABC (simulcast via ESPN3) and TNT. Plus, Sling also has an option to bundle Max in with your Sling Orange subscription and save $5 on the overall price.

$36 for your first month at Sling

Watch ESPN and more

Fubo TV

Try free at Fubo

Who is playing in the NBA playoffs?

Western Conference

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) Memphis Grizzlies (Thunder wins series 4-0)

(2) Houston Rockets vs. (7) Golden State Warriors

(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves

(4) Denver Nuggets vs. (5) LA Clippers

Eastern Conference

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (8) Miami Heat (Cavs win the series 4-0)

(2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Orlando Magic

(3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Detroit Pistons

(4) Indiana Pacers vs. (5) Milwaukee Bucks

2025 NBA playoffs TV schedule:

All times Eastern.

Tuesday, April 29

Game 5: Magic at Celtics, 8:30 p.m. (NBA TV)

Game 5: Pistons at Knicks, 7:30 p.m. (TNT, TruTV, Max)

Game 5: Bucks at Pacers, 6 p.m. (NBA TV)

Game 5: Clippers at Nuggets, 10 p.m. (TNT, TruTV, Max)

Wednesday, April 30

Game 5: Warriors at Rockets, 7:30 p.m. (

Heat Require More Than Culture to Escape Basketball Purgatory

After a series that unfolded largely as expected—though it spiraled out of control towards the end—the Miami Heat’s season has concluded at the hands of the superior, more efficient, and more appealing Cleveland Cavaliers. In truth, this team never stood a real chance. Despite a valiant effort through the play-in tournament and the emergence of Davion Mitchell, the Heat lack the high ceiling, especially after trading Jimmy Butler at the deadline.

Despite the enduring presence of #HeatCulture, this team lacks the quality and depth needed to make a significant playoff run. Swedish guard Pelle Larsson even saw first-quarter minutes in the decisive Game 4, highlighting the team’s struggles.

Miami appears to be stuck in the middle, with limited flexibility moving forward. The Heat don’t have their own draft pick this year, and while Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and Andrew Wiggins are solid players, they are not spectacular enough combined to elevate the team.

The idea of a complete rebuild is tempting, but the Heat’s commitment to maintaining competitiveness and not tanking stands in the way. They are adamant about remaining competitive until forced into a corner where that’s no longer viable. Despite stumbling upon a potential future building block in rookie big man Kel’el Ware, expect much of the same next season.

2024-2025 Record: 37-45

Highlight of the Season
While Tyler Herro’s improved play deserves recognition, the revelation of Kel’el Ware stands out. Finding a legitimate 7-footer with an inside-outside game and defensive upside is rare.

Biggest Offseason Need
The Heat need a no-nonsense No. 1 guy who can be the primary playmaker. Acquiring a star like Tyrese Haliburton or Tyrese Maxey is unlikely, making it a challenging task. Trading their remaining picks for a significant player might just be delaying the inevitable unless that player is a true Tier 1 star.

Projected Draft Picks (Pre-Lottery)
No. 20 (via Golden State)

Draft Focus
With Ware on board, Miami should look for an impactful defender at the four spot who can switch effortlessly, do the dirty work, and function as a hub. South Carolina forward Collin Murray-Boyles fits this description, though he may be out of reach at pick 20. A trade-up could be intriguing.

Key Free Agents
Davion Mitchell (RFA)
Duncan Robinson (ETO)

Salary-Cap Breakdown
The Heat are in reasonable shape regarding the luxury tax but lack spending money. Terry Rozier’s $26.6 million deal is particularly burdensome. With the cap projected at $154.6 million and few teams able to absorb money, Miami is unlikely to be a buyer in free agency.

Next Season’s Goal
One can hope the Game 4 massacre will force the organization to change course, but assuming it sticks with the philosophy of never tanking, it will likely seek ways to strengthen the current roster. The real goal should be to initiate a major overhaul, though that seems unlikely.

Jimmy Butler’s return from a pelvic contusion in Game 4 of the Warriors’ first-round series against the Rockets was met with skepticism, given his limited performance in the first half. However, a heated exchange with Rockets forward Dillon Brooks ignited Butler’s performance. After a hard foul on Brooks, Butler scored 14 points in the fourth quarter, including crucial free throws and a decisive rebound, leading the Warriors to a significant win. Butler expressed his disdain for Brooks, emphasizing their competitive rivalry. His second-half surge, contributing to 32 of the Warriors’ 59 points, was pivotal. Draymond Green highlighted the team’s focus on getting Butler the ball, which resulted in key plays. Butler’s final contributions, including drawing a foul and securing a rebound, sealed the victory. Despite his injury, Butler’s impact was undeniable, propelling the Warriors closer to advancing in the playoffs.

Sacramento Kings head coach Doug Christie is set to drop the word “interim” from his title as the team is reportedly finalizing a long-term deal to officially make him their next head coach, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Christie took over as the team’s interim head coach after Mike Brown was fired in December, with the Kings at a 13-18 record. Under Christie’s guidance, the team showed significant improvement, finishing the season 27-24 and displaying a much-improved offense. Sacramento concluded the season with a 40-42 record, securing the ninth spot in the Western Conference. The team’s season ended with a loss in the first game of the play-in tournament against the Dallas Mavericks.

Following the season’s end, the Kings parted ways with general manager Monte McNair and quickly hired Scott Perry to take over the role. Despite the change in management, reports indicated that Christie was “well-positioned to keep his job,” as per The Athletic.

Christie, a 15-year NBA veteran, spent five seasons with the Kings during his playing career, averaging 11.2 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. He also played for the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, and Toronto Raptors. After his playing career, Christie worked as a color commentator for the Kings on NBC Sports before joining the team as an assistant coach in 2021. He remained in that role until December when Brown was fired.

NBA: Jaden McDaniels Tripped Luka Dončić Late in Timberwolves’ Win Over Lakers, and Refs Missed the Call

Lakers head coach JJ Redick was adamant that Luka Dončić got fouled when he tripped over Jaden McDaniels late in Sunday’s playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. It turns out that the NBA agrees.

The NBA released its last-2-minute report from Sunday’s games on Monday. In it, the league determined that officials should have called a foul on McDaniels for tripping Dončić on the play in question.

“McDaniels (MIN) steps forward into Doncic’s (LAL) path, initiating illegal foot contact that causes him to lose his balance,” the report reads.

Here’s the play. With Minnesota leading, 114-113 and 39.5 seconds remaining, the Lakers inbounded the ball under their own basket. Dončić dribbled the ball upcourt with McDaniels guarding him. Before Dončić reached halfcourt, McDaniels stuck out his right foot, and Dončić tripped over it. Dončić called a timeout after he hit the floor. No foul was called.

The Lakers were awarded a timeout with 17 seconds left on the shot clock and at risk of a shot-clock violation with the ball still in the backcourt. LeBron James threw a bad pass on the ensuing inbounds play that McDaniels intercepted.

The end result of the possession was a Lakers turnover, and Los Angeles didn’t score again in Minnesota’s 116-113 win. A correct call of a foul would have put Dončić on the line for two free throws and a chance to give the Lakers a 115-114 lead.

Redick Blasts Non-Call

Here’s what Redick had to say about the non-call after the game:

“Luka got tripped,” Redick said. “That was a blatant trip. He doesn’t just fall on his own. We watched it. He gets tripped. So we should have been at the free-throw line. It’s not an excuse for why we lost. But he got fouled.”

The Timberwolves now have a 3-1 series lead.

NBA: Officials Got Late LeBron Foul Right

The NBA agreed with another pivotal late call from Sunday’s game. James fouled Anthony Edwards as Edwards drove to the basket with 10.1 seconds remaining. Officials initially ruled that there was no foul on the play and that Edwards turned the ball over when it went out of bounds.

But the Timberwolves challenged, and officials correctly assessed on replay review that James made contact with Edwards’ wrist when Edwards lost control of the ball and out of bounds.

James was assessed with a foul, and Edwards hit two free throws to secure the game’s final margin.

Here’s the last-2-minute report language on that foul:

“Replay review of the out of bounds call pursuant to a coach’s challenge was deemed successful. James (LAL) makes illegal contact to Edwards’ (MIN) left wrist and the foul is proximate to the ball going out of bounds. Play resumes with Edwards receiving two free throws.”

The Timberwolves now have three chances to close the Lakers out and send Dončić, James and Redick to a first-round playoff exit. Their first chance will come in Game 5 in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

The Golden State Warriors are set to welcome back a crucial player as Jimmy Butler is expected to return for Game 4 against the Houston Rockets. Butler has been sidelined with a pelvic contusion but is now cleared to play, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes.

Butler sustained the injury during Game 2 of the series after a collision with Rockets guard Amen Thompson, resulting in a deep glute muscle contusion. Although he avoided a fracture, the injury was severe enough to keep him out of Game 3. Despite his absence, the Warriors secured a 104-93 victory over the Rockets.

With a 2-1 series lead, the Warriors are looking to capitalize on Butler’s return as they host the Rockets for the second home game of the series. Butler’s presence on the court is expected to bolster the team’s performance as they aim to extend their lead in the series.

NBA playoffs: Warriors take 2-1 lead on Rockets without Jimmy Butler; Aaron Gordon stuns Clippers at buzzer

Tyler Herro didn’t shine after disputing that he was a weak link for Miami

April 27, 2025 at 3:40 AM UTC·15 min read

The NBA playoffs continued Saturday with four first-round matchups, three in the Western Conference. In the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers took a 3-0 series lead over the Miami Heat.

In Saturday’s two Game 4’s, the Oklahoma City Thunder closed out a sweep over the Memphis Grizzlies, while the Denver Nuggets tied their series against the Los Angeles Clippers, with one of the closest calls you will ever see, and the Golden State Warriors outlasted the Houston Rockets to take the series lead.

The full slate:

Cavaliers 124, Heat 87, Game 3 (Cavs lead series 3-0)
Thunder 117, Grizzlies 115, Game 4 (Thunder win series 4-0)
Nuggets 101, Clippers 99, Game 4 (series tied, 2-2)
Warriors 104, Rockets 93, Game 3 (Warriors lead 2-1)

Check out Sports’ predictions for each first-round series, in addition to Kevin O’Connor’s ranking of the top 40 players in the NBA postseason.

Here are the results and key takeaways from Saturday’s games:

Warriors 104, Rockets 93

The Houston Rockets didn’t have to worry about Jimmy Butler. They still had to worry about Stephen Curry.

It didn’t work out.

The Warriors took Game 3 in front of a raucous crowd at the Chase Center, erasing a double-digit lead in the second quarter and taking control in the fourth behind yet another show of all-time greatness from Curry.

Curry finished with 36 points on 12-of-23 shooting with nine assists and seven rebounds.

Stephen Curry is one of the greatest players of all time

It really needs to be said: The Rockets tried to stop Curry. Tried.

With Butler out, the Rockets did what pretty much every Warriors opponent did before the trade deadline. They keyed in on Curry and defended with help ready to move in on him. That’s easier said than done, because their might not be a sports experience on Earth more miserable than keeping track of Curry for an entire game.

That’s not to say Curry got no help, though. Beyond swapping out Butler for Jonathan Kuminga, head coach Steve Kerr inserted rookie center Quinten Post into the starting lineup in exchange for Moses Moody. It was a different look that just didn’t work offensively until about the final four minutes of the first half.

At that point, the Rockets were up 12 points and looking on track to beat the short-handed Warriors. Then Curry sparked a 9-0 run to end the half, narrowing the deficit to three. Gary Payton II also had one of his best games of the season, posting 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting.

And now the Warriors get a day’s rest, as Butler tries to heal in time for Game 4.

Some postgame fun between Draymond Green and Jalen Green

The Warriors’ other longtime star, Draymond Green, also had a good game, but just on defense. as Golden State held the Rockets to 19-of-48 shooting inside the paint.

The other kind of impact he is known for was evident when the final buzzer sounded, as Jalen Green (nine points on 4-of-11 shooting) met him at half-court with some harsh words. The veteran’s response appeared to be telling his opponent to go paint his nails.

Game 4 is scheduled for Monday at 10 p.m. ET in the Chase Center.

Nuggets 101, Clippers 99

There has never been a game-winning dunk this close to the buzzer.

With a fraction of a fraction of a second remaining, Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon dunked teammate Nikola Jokić’s errant 3-point attempt, sealing a surreal win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

The win spoiled the Clippers’ 22-point fourth-quarter comeback and evened the series, 2-2.

Officials conferred after the final buzzer, leaving the viewing public in limbo. After several minutes, referee Zach Zarba announced Gordon had juuust released the ball before the clock hit zeroes.

Clippers mount massive comeback

Though the Nuggets led through the entirety of the first half, the Clippers remained close — until the third quarter, when Denver turned its 50-48 halftime advantage into an 85-65 lead entering the fourth.

Jokić scored 16 of his game-high 36 points in the third

NBA playoffs: Draymond Green mocks Rockets’ Jalen Green in confrontation after Warriors’ Game 3 win

April 27, 2025 at 4:59 AM UTC·2 min read

The Houston Rockets have expressed discontent with Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green, a sentiment that was evident during and after Saturday’s Game 3. As the buzzer sounded on the Warriors’ 104-93 victory, Rockets wing Jalen Green approached Draymond at the logo, visibly upset. Teammate Fred VanVleet had to intervene to prevent any escalation.

As Jalen was led away, Draymond made a gesture of painting his nails, a reference to Jalen’s well-known habit. This did not help calm the situation. Both players later downplayed the incident. Jalen attempted to minimize Draymond’s impact on the game, stating, “It was just talking. He can’t really do much of anything else, so talking is his only way.”

Draymond’s stats were mixed: seven points on 3-of-11 shooting, eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks, two steals, five turnovers, and four personal fouls. His contributions in the fourth quarter, however, were significant as the Warriors extended their lead.

Draymond declined to discuss the confrontation, merely noting that the game was over when asked about the exchange. This series has been chippy from the start, and it continues to deliver on that front. The Warriors now lead the series 2-1 and are hoping for the return of Jimmy Butler for Game 4 on Monday at the Chase Center.

The Milwaukee Bucks, trailing the Indiana Pacers 3-1, face the prospect of losing a first-round playoff series for the third consecutive season. With Damian Lillard out due to a torn Achilles’ tendon, the Bucks find themselves in a precarious position, potentially without their first-round draft pick next season. This situation highlights the need for a significant change, particularly regarding their best player, Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Antetokounmpo, despite his prime, is stuck in a team that no longer appears to be a serious contender. The Bucks’ repeated first-round exits and Lillard’s injury underscore the team’s inability to compete at an elite level. With Antetokounmpo entering the final years of his contract and the team lacking draft picks and young talent, trading him might be the only viable option to secure a brighter future.

The Bucks’ financial situation, with high payroll and limited flexibility, further complicates their ability to make necessary changes. Trading Antetokounmpo now could yield the best return, allowing the team to rebuild while giving Antetokounmpo a chance to compete for championships elsewhere. Potential trade partners include teams like Brooklyn, Miami, Oklahoma City, and Houston, all of which have the assets to make a compelling offer.

This move would not only benefit the Bucks by providing a fresh start but also offer Antetokounmpo the opportunity to chase another championship, potentially elevating his legacy even further.

Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard is out for the season after tearing his left Achilles, the team announced on Monday afternoon. Lillard sustained the injury during the team’s 129-103 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Sunday night. Minutes into the contest, Lillard stumbled while trying to grab a rebound. He was able to redirect the ball, but fell to the ground and immediately grabbed near his left ankle. He was eventually helped off the court and went straight to the locker room. The Bucks ruled Lillard out for the rest of the game with a lower leg injury.

Following the contest, Bucks coach Doc Rivers hinted that it could be a long-term injury, saying Lillard’s prognosis was “not very promising.” Lillard underwent an MRI on Monday, which confirmed the injury. He is now set to undergo surgery in the near future. It’s unclear how long he will be sidelined.

The injury comes just days after Lillard returned to the court following deep vein thrombosis in his right calf. Lillard missed weeks due to the injury, which many expected would keep him out for the rest of the season. But as the playoffs approached, the Bucks announced Lillard was cleared to return and was likely to play in the series vs. the Pacers.

Lillard got back on the court for Game 2, and scored 14 points in the Bucks’ 123-115 loss. He also played in Game 3, dropping seven points in the Bucks’ only victory of the series thus far.

The Achilles injury ends another solid year from Lillard, who averaged 24.9 points and 7.1 assists in 58 games before deep vein thrombosis prematurely ended his regular season. While he didn’t flash the same effectiveness in the playoffs, Lillard gave the Bucks another superstar-caliber player opposing defenses needed to stop.

Without Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo will need to shoulder a heavy load if the Bucks want to advance past the Pacers. Antetokounmpo has scored at least 28 points in each game of the series, but the Bucks have only picked up one win. Both teams will square off in Game 5 on Tuesday.

Lillard’s injury also complicates what many felt was a crucial offseason for the Bucks. There are rumblings Antetokounmpo could ask for a trade due to the Bucks’ recent playoff failures. With Lillard looking at a potentially lengthy rehab, that could be the tipping point as Antetokounmpo tries to find a team with more realistic championship aspirations next season.