Down big in the first half, the Denver Nuggets clawed their way back in Game 5 and carved a comeback win to keep their season alive and force Game 6 against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Paul Millsap’s energy was the catalyst of that Nuggets’ Game 5 comeback against the Clippers. (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/Getty Images)

In a tremendous effort to keep their season alive, the Nuggets stormed back in the second half to hack out a 111-105 win over Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers. Jamal Murray topscored for Denver with his 26 markers, while also adding 8 rebounds and 7 assists to his name.

The Nuggets struggled with their offense in the first half, and their body language seemed out of sorts as the Clippers built a 12-point lead after two quarters. But Denver chipped at the lead slowly, and a Nikola Jokic three-pointer at the top of the key in the fourth quarter gave the team its first taste of the lead.

It would then be a back-and-forth affair but a big trifecta from Michael Porter Jr. ultimately sealed the win for the Nuggets as they refused to let their season go down the drain.

MICHAEL PORTER JR. IS CLUTCH pic.twitter.com/bGsoIEOFeH

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 12, 2020

Veteran power forward Paul Millsap provided the much-needed scoring punch to support Jokic and Murray. Millsap had 17 points and 6 boards, and was the driving force of that 3rd quarter stand to cut the Clippers’ lead. Jokic finished with a double-double performance of 22 points, 14 rebounds, 5 dimes and 2 blocks.

Kawhi Leonard led the charge for the Clippers with his 36 markers, while Paul George contributed 26 points, 6 boards, 6 assists and 2 blocks. The Clippers have another shot at closing this series in Game 6.

SCORES

Nuggets (111) – Murray 26, Jokic 22, Millsap 17, Morris 12, Grant 10, Harris 7, Porter Jr. 7, Plumlee 6, Craig 4

Clippers (105) – Leonard 36, George 26, Morris Sr. 12, Beverley 10, Harrell 6, Zubac 5, Williams 4, Shamet 3, Green 3, Mann o