Murray, Jokic help Denver stun Clippers 104-89 in Game 7

Denver's dynamic duo of Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic led ar stunning turnaround as Nuggets advanced to Western Conference finals for first time since 2009.

Murray scored 40 points, Jokic had a triple-double by third quarter and Denver again overcame a double-digit deficit to shock Los Angeles Clippers 104-89 in Game 7 on Tuesday night.

Denver became first team in NBA history to rally from a 3-1 series deficit twice in same postseason.

Even more history: Nuggets are third team in U.S. major pro sports to rally from a pair of 3-1 deficits in same playoffs, joining 1985 Kansas City Royals and 2003 Minnesota Wild.

Denver will face LeBron James and Los Angeles Lakers in conference finals.

7-foot Jokic had a monster game with 16 points, 13 assists and 22 rebounds, which were most by a Nuggets player in an NBA playoff game. He broke his record of 19 that he set last season and shared with Marcus Camby.

In a familiar trend, Nuggets found mselves down by 12 in first half. y also trailed 61-54 with 10:50 let in third when y caught fire. Nuggets went on a 35-13 run to build up a 15-point lead in fourth quarter.

y led by as many as 20.

Murray helped Nuggets pour it on down stretch to give coach Michael Malone a 49th birthday present.

team also rallied back from double-digit margins in ir last two games as well to stun Clippers.

Despite additions of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, Clippers fell short of conference finals, where y've never been. y fell to 0-8 all-time in games where y could clinch a trip to conference finals.

Leonard finished with 14 points on 6-of-22 shooting, while George had 10 points on 4-of-16 shooting.

It was Denver’s talented twosome that stole show.

Jokic insisted third-seeded Nuggets weren't feeling any pressure. He said Game 7 was just ar game. After all, this was Denver's fourth straight Game 7 dating to playoffs last season.

After trailing by as many as 12 in first half, Nuggets worked ir way back into game behind shooting of Murray. He scored 25 before intermission as Clippers elected to double-team Jokic.

TIP-INS

Nuggets: Jerami Grant and Gary Harris each had 14 points.

Clippers: G Landry Shamet turned his right ankle in first quarter, limped down floor, hit a 3-pointer and n hobbled to locker room. He returned just before halftime. ... Montrezl Harrell led Clippers with 20 points.

FASHION FORWARD

Nuggets coaching staff went with ir customary all-black outfits (a d to singer Johnny Cash). Clippers wore salmon-colored polo shirts that have been lucky for m inside bubble.

Just coaches being a little superstitious.

“I worked with coaches that knew record of ties y wore,” Malone said. “Yes, we are a weird group. We’ll look at any advant necessary. As jump ball goes up, it doesn’t matter what we’re wearing.”

Im credits: AP