If the reports are to be believed, Nikola Jokic could witness an end to his MVP streak, but there’s still a lot he can save. And if the 3x MVP is looking for any guidance, Magic Johnson is right here with a series of posts that not just include guidelines for the Denver Nuggets but also warning signs of sorts regarding the threats that the LA Clippers could pose in their possible 7-game series. Johnson believes that if the Nuggets lack in execution on any front, it could be the Clippers who’ll have the last laugh.

Asking the fans to buckle up for the “7-game thriller” between the Nuggets and Clippers, Magic Johnson revealed, in a post on X, that even though he cannot pick a winner, he believes “the Clippers finished the season playing their best basketball!”

However, the Los Angeles Lakers icon has high faith in Nikola Jokic as he expects nothing but “domination over the Clippers” from him. After all, the Joker has been exceptional this season, beating his old self in the league. He has outperformed himself in every department, averaging his first triple through a season. And doing this, he did not let his scoring dip but recorded the highest scoring average—29.6 points per game—so far in the league, along with 12.7 rebounds per game, and 10.2 assists per game.

But still, can the Serbian basketball star do it all on his own? Well, Magic Johnson doubts it. “He needs plenty of help from Playoff Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Aaron Gordon. They to step up in order for the Nuggets to have any chance of winning,” Buck said.

But what about the Clippers? Well, in the same post that he praised Jokic, Johnson also wrote, “I’m so happy that Kawhi Leonard is playing like prime Kawhi!” The ex-Laker was, however, not done yet with his takes on the upcoming series between the Clippers and Nuggets.

Despite stating in his initial post that he cannot pick a winner, Magic laid out the condition that could yield a favourable outcome for the Clippers. “James Harden has played as well as any guard in the league this season. Ivica Zubac and Norman Powell should have been All Stars this year and if they play well. the Clippers should win!”

Well, let’s not forget—this Clippers squad has been red-hot. They ended the regular season on an eight-game win streak, which included a nail-biting OT win over the Warriors to lock in the fifth seed. Furthermore, since March 5, they’ve gone 18-3. And two of those three losses came against top-tier teams like the Thunder and Cavaliers.

Even their season matchups with Denver show just how close this series might be. They split it 2-2—but here’s the twist—Kawhi didn’t play in any of those four games. So, what happens now with him back in full form? That’s the real concern. But let’s not rule out Nikola Jokic & Co. just yet. Not after what they’ve managed despite a drastic change.

Can the Denver Nuggets aim higher in the playoffs than Round 1 of the series?

Let’s be honest—ever since the Nuggets pulled the plug on both head coach Michael Malone and GM Calvin Booth, the conversation has completely shifted. Everyone’s busy throwing names into the hat for the next coach or front-office leader. But in all this buzz about the future, has anyone stopped to consider what Denver can do right now?

Because here’s the thing—Nikola Jokic has been putting on a masterclass this season. And over their last three regular-season games, the Nuggets looked like a team finally breathing again. That doesn’t seem to be just a coincidence. It appears that Malone’s tone and approach weren’t landing anymore, and Josh Kroenke saw the writing on the wall. He stepped in when it mattered. And whether it shocked people or not, it might have saved Denver’s season.

Think about it: would you rather ride out the year knowing that’s what the owner of the team knew was going to happen if he let Malone stick around, or take a bold swing? Kroenke chose the latter—and good on him for it. Now the Nuggets head into the playoffs riding a three-game high, completely avoiding the mess of the play-in and drawing a manageable opponent. No Luka-led Lakers. No Wolves nightmare. Just the Clippers—a solid team, sure, but one that doesn’t exactly scream unbeatable.

And if Denver does get through them? Who says they can’t keep going? The Thunder may have ruled the regular season, but are they truly ready for a deep playoff run? The Nuggets, now playing free and with nothing to lose, might just become the dark horse no one saw coming.