Kawhi's heroics lift Clippers over Nuggets in Game 2
The Los Angeles Clippers evened their best-of-seven first-round series against the Denver Nuggets after escaping with a close 105-102 win at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, on Tuesday, April 22 (Philippine time).
It was a bounce-back win for the Clippers, who lost a tough Game 1 in overtime, 110-112.
Kawhi Leonard came up big for the Clippers. He scored a game-high 39 points on an efficient 15-of-19 shooting, including four three-pointers. He also added three rebounds, five assists, two steals, and a block.
Leonard made the go-ahead basket and delivered a key defensive stop in the final seconds to seal the win.
James Harden also stepped up with 18 markers and four triples. He finished with three boards, seven dimes, one steal, and two blocks.
Ivica Zubac made a strong impact in the paint with a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds, along with four assists and one steal.
On the other side, Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with a triple-double of 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. He also had three steals, while his partner Jamal Murray added 23 markers, two boards, six dimes, one steal, and a block.
Michael Porter Jr. tallied 15 points and 15 rebounds, while Aaron Gordon chipped in 14 markers and six boards.
Russell Westbrook helped the Nuggets off the bench, scoring 14 points and grabbing four rebounds, but it was not enough to get the victory.
The game was close from the start. Denver held a 31-25 lead after the first quarter, but the Clippers bounced back with a strong second period and took a 55-52 lead at halftime, capped by Leonard’s buzzer-beating three.
The third quarter remained tight, with the Clippers still ahead 78-76 going into the fourth. Jokic hit a three-pointer to start the final quarter and briefly gave Denver the lead, but the Clippers answered quickly and stretched their lead to as much as six.
Denver stayed in the fight and even took the lead again with under six minutes left, but the Clippers held on during the final stretch.
Jokic had a chance to force overtime at the buzzer, but his three-point attempt missed.
Game 3 will take place on Friday, April 25 (Philippine time) at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
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The East Asia Super League (EASL) is officially set to raise the curtain on its new season with a twin opening in Taipei and Tokyo on October 8, 2025 — a move that reflects the league’s expanding reach and growing stature as Asia’s premier basketball competition.
All eyes in Taiwan will be on the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium, which will host a blockbuster doubleheader featuring some of the region’s most decorated clubs.
The action tips off with a clash between the B.LEAGUE champions Utsunomiya Brex and the P. LEAGUE+ runners-up Taipei Fubon Braves. Utsunomiya, led by veteran guard Makoto Hiejima, entered as one of Japan’s most successful franchises. The Braves, meanwhile, look to prove their resilience after falling short in a grueling seven-game finals series last season, banking on the leadership of Chinese Taipei legend Lin Chih-Chieh.
The second game of the night brings a rematch between the P. LEAGUE+ champions Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and Japan’s Ryukyu Golden Kings. Their last encounter came in the 2025 EASL Final Four semifinals, where Taoyuan stunned Ryukyu, 71–64. This time, the Golden Kings are eager for redemption, while the Pilots hope to reaffirm their place among Asia’s elite.
Game schedule (HKT):
- Utsunomiya vs. Taipei Fubon – 6:30 PM
- Taoyuan vs. Ryukyu – 8:30 PM
China came within a single basket of toppling Oceania powerhouse Australia in the FIBA Asia Cup final, bowing 90-89 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but sending a clear message that it remains a force in Asian basketball.
The Chinese squad, bannered by Hu Mingxuan and Hu Jinqiu, led by as many as 15 points through three quarters before faltering in the final minutes against the defending champions. Despite the heartbreaking loss, the performance was a reminder of China’s proud basketball heritage and its potential return to continental supremacy.
Gilas Pilipinas advanced to the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals after triumphing over host nation Saudi Arabia in a tense 95-88 overtime victory on Monday, August 11 (Tuesday, August 12 in Manila) at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
Justin Brownlee once again showed his ‘Never Say Die’ attitude after drilling a contested three-pointer with 3.7 seconds left to force the extra period. He went on to finish with 29 points, five assists, and four rebounds, paving the way for a quarterfinal showdown with two-time defending champion Australia on Wednesday, August 13.
Brownlee’s heroics set the stage for Kevin Quiambao, who buried two triples in OT to complete a 17-point performance alongside three dimes and three deflections.
"It was a special game, it was a special performance from both teams," said head coach Tim Cone. "They (Saudi Arabia) posed a lot of problems for us, and by all rights, they had the game won — except for the guy sitting to my right (Brownlee). If you know his history, that’s not unusual. He’s been hitting big shots."
AJ Edu anchored the middle with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists, while Dwight Ramos chipped in 13 markers, 10 boards, three dimes, and a rejection.
Beyond Brownlee’s late-game magic, the Philippines secured the win by neutralizing Saudi Arabia’s high-scoring duo of Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman and Mohammed Alsuwailem in the extra frame.
Abdur-Rahkman erupted for 33 points on 8-of-14 shooting from deep, while Alsuwailem tallied 26 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks — but the two combined for only five points in OT as Gilas closed the door on the hosts’ upset bid.
The Scores:
Philippines 95 – Brownlee 29, Edu 17, Quiambao 17, Ramos 13, Fajardo 6, Tamayo 5, Thompson 4, Newsome 4, Malonzo 0, Perez 0, Aguilar 0.
Saudi Arabia 88 – Abdur-Rahkman 33, Alsuwailem 26, Almuwallad 10, Abdel Gabar 8, Ma. Almarwani 4, Belal 3, Kadi 3, Mo. Almarwani 1, Shubayli 0.
Quarters: 25-15, 40-37, 60-59, 79-79 (reg.), 95-88 (OT).