Remember the widespread reactions to the 2020 Western Conference Semifinals when the Nuggets overcame a 3–1 deficit to defeat the Clippers? Lakers legend Magic Johnson tweeted, “The Clippers choked again. They choked against Houston in 2015, and they choked tonight against the Denver Nuggets.” With the NBA playoffs around the corner, all eyes are again on the potential Nuggets-Clippers clash.

The Denver Nuggets finished the 2024-25 season 3rd in offense with a 120.9 offensive rating. That’s the best offense in franchise history. Pace played a big role in Denver’s career year on offense. This is the first time Denver has ranked in the top 10 in pace since Nikola Jokić was named a full-time starter in 2017-18. With their playoff history evenly split at 1–1, the stakes are already sky-high. And with postseason intensity creeping in, one Hall of Famer’s recent remarks are stirring the pot — aimed at a certain quiet superstar who’s heating up at just the right time.”

In a recent episode of  The Why with Dwyane Wade, Dwyane Wade predicted that “even though Denver is supposed to win”, with Kawhi on the Clippers, “this is going to be a very tough matchup for Denver.” He commented, “Kawhi Leonard coming back off surgery- the 4th or 5th surgery-—whatever he had on his knee, he is shiftier.”

Though there looms a speculation about Kawhi Leonard‘s health, Wade assured the fans about “how cold he is in the playoffs.” He said, “Can no one guard him when he get that ball about 15ft out of, however way you want to say it and he’s never been able to stop.” 

Both Leonard and Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue referred to the Klaw’s initial comeback as a “preseason” of sorts. Leonard’s contribution to the Los Angeles Clippers’ late-season run has been crucial. He scored 33 points in a pivotal overtime victory over the Golden State Warriors on April 13, 2025, which helped the Clippers earn the fifth seed in the Western Conference and a postseason game with the Denver Nuggets in the first round.

Denver’s turbulent road to the playoffs

Despite boasting one of the league’s most potent offenses this season, the Denver Nuggets head into the playoffs surrounded by uncertainty. It’s not just what’s happening on the court—that’s been rocky enough—it’s what’s unraveling behind the scenes that’s truly raising eyebrows.

According to The Denver Post, the disconnect at the top was impossible to ignore. Head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth reportedly had minimal communication, aside from the occasional meeting with team owner Stan Kroenke. “There was an ‘us vs. them’ type of thing.” That division lingered within the franchise until the Kroenkes dropped a bombshell on April 8—firing both Malone and Booth with just three games left in the regular season. At a time when Denver was still playoff-bound, the move signaled just how deep the internal fractures ran.

The ripple effects were felt quickly. On the court, the chemistry appeared off. During a grueling double-overtime matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Nikola Jokić poured in a heroic 61-point triple-double—but that brilliance was overshadowed by costly late-game mistakes, including a critical foul by Russell Westbrook that led to three game-deciding free throws. It was the kind of loss that stings deeper than the box score suggests.

Amid the chaos, the Joker—the Nuggets’ steady anchor and three-time MVP—is reportedly growing frustrated. Sources close to the team say he’s unhappy with the team’s declining defensive intensity and the lack of consistent support from the roster. Even with his monster averages of 30 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 10.2 assists, the Serbian superstar appears to be questioning how far this current version of the Nuggets can really go.

It’s clear: if Denver wants to make a real title run, Jokić can’t do it alone. Yes, the Nuggets have talent—Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr., and Christian Braun. But talent without cohesion and leadership won’t be enough when the stakes rise in the postseason.

As the Nuggets enter the playoffs, all eyes will be on David Adelman, the interim coach of the Nuggets, and his ability to guide the team through high-stakes competition. But Dwyane Wade has his eyes on the Clippers, especially Kawhi Leonard.