No. 5 seed LA Clippers have taken control of the 2025 NBA playoffs first-round series, 2-1, after beating the No. 4 seed Denver Nuggets. It was the first home playoff game for the Clippers at the Intuit Dome.

Kawhi Leonard produced a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds after shaking off a slow start in the 117-83 Western Conference Game 3 victory over the Nuggets.

James Harden added 20 points, nine assists and six rebounds in the winning effort for the Clippers while Norman Powell also added 20 points. 

Former MVP Nikola Jokic added a team-high 23 for the Nuggets. He also had 13 rebounds and 13 assists. Jamal Murray scored 23 points while former Clipper Russell Westbrook was held to just three points after shooting 1-for-5 from the field (all attempts from the three-point line).

USA TODAY Sports provided updates and highlights from Game 3 between the Nuggets and Clippers:

Clippers vs. Nuggets third quarter update

The Clippers took a 90-70 lead entering the fourth quarter.

James Harden and Norman Powell each scored 20 points through the first three quarters of play while Kawhi Leonard added 14 points and nine rebounds. Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 21 points and Nikola Jokić had 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Clippers vs. Nuggets halftime update

After taking its first lead of the game late in the first quarter, the Clippers held on to their lead throughout the first half. The Clippers lead the Nuggets 63-47 at halftime.

James Harden led the Clippers with 20 points, four assists and three rebounds. Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray each have 13 points for the Nuggets.

James Harden stats

James Harden leads the Clippers with 20 points, nine assists and six rebounds in 34 minutes of play against the Nuggets.

Kawaii Leonard stats

Kawhi Leonard produced a double-double with 21 points, 11 rebounds and six assists in 34 minutes of play for the Clippers.

Clippers vs. Nuggets first quarter update

Aaron Gordon has scored 11 of the Nuggets’ first 20 points with 7:01 left in the first quarter against the Clippers, but was a non-factor for the rest of the quarter.

James Harden led the Clippers with 13 points while Kawhi Leonard was limited to five points in the period.

The Nuggets led the Clippers for the first 10:30 of the quarter before Harden gave L.A. the 29-28 lead. The Clippers pulled away with a 35-28 lead after Harden and Nicolas Batum scored back-to-back three-pointers in the final minute..

Clippers’ starting lineup vs. Nuggets in Game 3

Norman Powell
Kawhi Leonard
Ivica Zubac
Kris Dunn
James Harden

Nuggets’ starting lineup vs. Clippers in Game 3

Michael Porter Jr.
Aaron Gordon
Nikola Jokić
Christian Braun                                                                     
Jamal Murray

Clippers-only fan section ready to horse around

Members of the Wall, which is the Clippers-only fan section called the Intuit Dome, found a horse mask at their seats to wear before the game. Nuggets star Nikola Jokić is known to have a love and passion for horses and harness racing.

What time is Nuggets vs. Clippers?

Game 3 of the NBA playoff series between the Denver Nuggets and LA Clippers is at 10 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 24.

How to watch Nuggets vs. Clippers: Time, TV, streaming info

Time: 10 p.m. ET
TV: NBA TV
Stream: Fubo
Location: Intuit Dome (Inglewood, CA)

Watch Nuggets vs. Clippers with a free trial of Fubo

Aaron Gordon stats

Aaron Gordon averaged 14.7 points in the regular season, shooting 53.1% from the field and a career-high 43.6% from three in 51 games (42 starts). He also averaged 4.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists. Through two games in the 2025 NBA playoffs, Gordon is averaging 19.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist.

Michael Porter Jr. will play in Game 3

Porter is officially a go for Game 3. He’s coming off a 15-point, 15-rebound double-double performance in Denver’s Game 2 loss on Monday, following a mere three points in the team’s Game 1 win on Saturday.

Will Michael Porter Jr. play in Game 3?

Michael Porter Jr. is listed as questionable for Game 3 on Thursday due to a left shoulder sprain. Porter suffered the injury during the closing minutes of Denver’s 105-102 loss to the Clippers in Game 2 on Monday. He dove for a loose ball and the Clippers’ Kris Dunn fell on him while attempting to do the same. Following the game, Porter said he “never felt a pain like this” and noted that he suffered a “joint sprain.”

On Wednesday, interim head coach David Adelman said he’s ‘very optimistic’ Porter will suit up on Thursday. ‘I don’t think he gets enough credit for how tough he is and what he’s played through over these years. His pain threshold is something that people don’t understand, don’t get, that he deals with all year long…If Mike can play he will.’

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The defending champion Florida Panthers have a 2-0 lead in their first-round series, but it comes with a cost.

Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov was knocked out of Thursday’s game when he was hit hard by Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel midway through the third period. He went to the dressing room and didn’t return.

Barkov wasn’t near the puck so Hagel was called for interference. He received five minutes, which was upheld on review, though not a game misconduct. The Lightning killed the penalty but it hurt them because they were trying to tie the game.

Instead, they lost 2-0 on a Nate Schmidt first-period goal and a Sam Bennett empty netter. Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky made 19 saves. Florida has won both games on the road.

Coach Paul Maurice had no update on Barkov after the game, per reporters.

Barkov, who had two assists in the series opener, is one of the Panthers’ top scorers. He also has won the Selke Trophy twice as the NHL’s top defensive forward.

The Panthers next play Saturday at home in Game 3. They’ll get back defenseman Aaron Ekblad, who has finished serving a 20-game PED suspension.

Either the Panthers or the Lightning has reached the Stanley Cup Final in each of the last five playoffs.

Maple Leafs 3, Senators (OT)

Simon Benoit scored at 1:19 of overtime to give the Maple Leafs a commanding 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven series against the Senators.

Benoit, who assisted on Max Domi’s Game 2 overtime goal, scored on a shot from the point after an Auston Matthews faceoff win.

If the Maple Leafs win Saturday in Ottawa, it would be their second playoff series win since 2004 and their first sweep since 2001 (vs. the Senators).

Wild 5, Golden Knights 2

Kirill Kaprizov had his second consecutive two-goal game as the Wild took a 2-1 lead in their series against the Golden Knights.

Blues 7, Jets 2

Pavel Buchnevich had a hat trick and Robert Thomas had four assists as the Blues cut their series deficit to 2-1. On his first goal, Buchnevich kicked the puck toward the net but batted it out the air with his stick before it crossed the goal line. Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck was pulled after giving up six goals on 25 shots.

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The Golden State Warriors are hoping two days of rest will enable guard Jimmy Butler to return to the lineup for Game 3 of their first-round NBA playoff series against the Houston Rockets.

Butler left Wednesday’s game late in the first quarter and did not return after being undercut on a rebound attempt and landing hard on his tailbone.

Butler was diagnosed with a bruised glute muscle after an MRI on Thursday, but the test showed no structural damage, a person familiar with Butler’s injury told USA TODAY Sports. The person was not authorized to speak publicly on the test results.

Butler wants to play in Game 3 on Saturday, but probably will be listed as questionable on the Warriors’ injury report, the person said.

After the foul by Houston’s Amen Thompson, Butler got up gingerly and limped to the free throw line. He converted one of two foul shots, then left the game and headed straight to the locker room.

‘Hopefully, he’s OK,’ Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after the game. ‘We’ll see. … Jimmy always says he’s going to be fine. But we have to wait and see with the MRI.”

Jimmy Butler status will impact Game 3

Butler was acquired in February from the Miami Heat to give the Warriors a veteran presence with playoff experience, as well as give Stephen Curry some scoring and playmaking support. Butler also is a key defensive cog and, at 35, was expected to give the Warriors a final piece in what could be their last, best run at another NBA title with this group.

However, Kerr said that if Butler is ruled out for Game 3, ‘we’ll have to rethink everything.”

The series, tied at one game apiece, resumes Saturday in San Francisco.

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It didn’t take long for the first trade to happen in the first draft (since 2002) that all 32 teams held their own original first-round pick.

The Jacksonville Jaguars made a bold move up to No. 2 to select 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, trading up into the spot originally held by the Cleveland Browns. The Browns, meanwhile, received the No. 5 overall selection, which they used on Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham. The Browns also received a 2025 second-rounder, a 2025 fourth-rounder, as well as a 2026 first-round pick.

The first round then went 23 selections without a trade, until the New York Giants traded back into Round 1 to select Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart. The Giants surrendered two 2025 second-day picks and a 2026 third-rounder in order to move up.

➤ Draft tracker: Round 1 

Here are details for all of the noteworthy trades executed before and during the 2025 NFL Draft:

Eagles move up one spot in Round 1 for Jihaad Campbell

2025 first-round pick (No. 31): Jihaad Campbell

2025 first-round pick (No. 32): Josh Simmons
2025 fifth-round pick (No. 164)

Falcons trade up to double-down on defense

2025 first-round pick (No. 26): James Pearce, Jr.
2025 third-round pick (No. 101)

2025 second-round pick (No. 46)
2025 seventh-round pick (No. 242)
2026 first-round pick

Giants trade back into first round for Jaxson Dart

2025 first-round pick (No. 25): Jaxson Dart

2025 second-round pick (No. 34)
2025 third-round pick (No. 99)
2026 third-round pick

Jaguars trade up with Browns to pick Travis Hunter

2025 first-round pick (No. 2): Travis Hunter
2025 fourth-round pick (No. 104)
2025 sixth-round pick (No. 200)

2025 first-round pick (No. 5): Mason Graham
2025 second-round (No. 36)
2025 fourth-round (No. 126)
2026 first-round pick

Browns, Texans swap late-round picks in draft-day trade

2025 fifth-round pick (No. 166):
2027 fifth-round pick

2025 sixth-round pick (No. 179)
2025 sixth-round pick (No. 216)
2025 seventh-round pick (No. 255)

Finally a wrap on Panthers and Bears, Bryce Young and Caleb Williams 2023 trade?

WR DJ Moore
2023 first-round pick (No. 9): Traded to Philadelphia Eagles
2023 second-round pick (No. 61): Traded to Jacksonville Jaguars
2024 first-round pick (No. 1): Caleb Williams
2025 second-round pick (No. 39)

2023 first-round pick (No. 1): Bryce Young

The 2025 NBA playoffs will feature a Western Conference Game 3 between the No. 4 seed Denver Nuggets and No. 5 seed LA Clippers on Thursday. The first-round best-of-seven series is currently tied 1-1.

The Clippers, who lost Game 1 in overtime, evened their series against the Nuggets with a 105-102 victory in Denver on Monday. The standout performances of Kawhi Leonard, who led the Clippers with 39 points, and James Harden, who added 18 points and seven rebounds, have set the stage for an electrifying Game 3. The series now shifts to Los Angeles, where the Clippers will enjoy home court advantage.

Despite the loss, MVP finalist Nikola Jokic’s stellar performance, recording 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, and Jamal Murray’s 23 points for the Nuggets, were standout moments. However, their efforts were overshadowed by the team’s 20 turnovers and eight missed free throws.

Follow along with USA TODAY Sports for live updates and highlights from Game 3 between the Nuggets and Clippers:

Kawaii Leonard stats

Kawhi Leonard has been limited to five points and an assist in 10 minutes of play for the Clippers. He has shot 2-for-5 from the field and 1-for-3 from the three-point line.

Clippers vs. Nuggets first quarter update

Aaron Gordon has scored 11 of the Nuggets’ first 20 points with 7:01 left in the first quarter against the Clippers, but was a non-factor for the rest of the quarter.

James Harden led the Clippers with 13 points while Kawhi Leonard was limited to five points in the period.

The Nuggets led the Clippers for the first 10:30 of the quarter before Harden gave L.A. the 29-28 lead. The Clippers pulled away with a 35-28 lead after Harden and Nicolas Batum scored back-to-back three-pointers in the final minute..

Clippers’ starting lineup vs. Nuggets in Game 3

Norman Powell
Kawhi Leonard
Ivica Zubac
Kris Dunn
James Harden

Nuggets’ starting lineup vs. Clippers in Game 3

Michael Porter Jr.

Aaron Gordon

Nikola Jokić

Christian Braun                                                                     

Jamal Murray

Clippers-only fan section ready to horse around

Members of the Wall, which is the Clippers-only fan section called the Intuit Dome, found a horse mask at their seats to wear before the game. Nuggets star Nikola Jokić is known to have a love and passion for horses and harness racing.

What time is Nuggets vs. Clippers?

Game 3 of the NBA playoff series between the Denver Nuggets and LA Clippers is at 10 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 24.

How to watch Nuggets vs. Clippers: Time, TV, streaming info

Time: 10 p.m. ET
TV: NBA TV
Stream: Fubo
Location: Intuit Dome (Inglewood, CA)

Watch Nuggets vs. Clippers with a free trial of Fubo

Aaron Gordon stats

Aaron Gordon averaged 14.7 points in the regular season, shooting 53.1% from the field and a career-high 43.6% from three in 51 games (42 starts). He also averaged 4.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists. Through two games in the 2025 NBA playoffs, Gordon is averaging 19.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist.

Michael Porter Jr. will play in Game 3

Porter is officially a go for Game 3. He’s coming off a 15-point, 15-rebound double-double performance in Denver’s Game 2 loss on Monday, following a mere three points in the team’s Game 1 win on Saturday.

Will Michael Porter Jr. play in Game 3?

Michael Porter Jr. is listed as questionable for Game 3 on Thursday due to a left shoulder sprain. Porter suffered the injury during the closing minutes of Denver’s 105-102 loss to the Clippers in Game 2 on Monday. He dove for a loose ball and the Clippers’ Kris Dunn fell on him while attempting to do the same. Following the game, Porter said he “never felt a pain like this” and noted that he suffered a “joint sprain.”

On Wednesday, interim head coach David Adelman said he’s ‘very optimistic’ Porter will suit up on Thursday. ‘I don’t think he gets enough credit for how tough he is and what he’s played through over these years. His pain threshold is something that people don’t understand, don’t get, that he deals with all year long…If Mike can play he will.’

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

Colorado two-way football star Travis Hunter had a special guest with him at the NFL draft Thursday in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

It’s the same person he paid tribute to in an emotional speech after he won the Heisman Trophy last December – his father, Travis Hunter Sr.

Hunter Jr. put his arms around his father and mother after he was selected No. 2 overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars – a shared moment made possible because a Florida judge granted the father’s request to travel there this week. Hunter Sr. is currently serving three years of probation in Palm Beach County, Florida, after being convicted of gun and drug charges last year, according to court records obtained by USA TODAY Sports.

The son apparently inherited his athletic ability from his father, a former track and football standout in Florida. But in his Heisman speech, Hunter Jr. also acknowledged missing his father during his childhood when he spoke of “all the times that you didn’t get to see me” growing up. Travis Hunter Sr. was not able to attend the Heisman ceremony, either.

This time at the draft, the father was able to be there in person after a troubled recent past.

What happened with Travis Hunter’s dad?

It stems from an incident in Lantana, Florida, in November 2023, when Hunter Sr., now 39, was pulled over by police after the officer said he didn’t have “any lights for the tag” on his car, according to the police report. Police identified him as a habitual traffic offender with no driver’s license and subjected him to a search that allegedly found the drugs and a backpack with a pistol and loaded magazine. A football jersey with the name of “Travis Hunter” also was found in the backpack, the police report said.

Police said he also had amphetamines in his pocket at the time of his arrest in November 2023.

He was charged with illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon after a prior conviction in 2018 for “sale or possession of heroin with intent to sell.” Hunter Sr. reached a plea deal last year to plead guilty to drug possession and the gun charge, leading to a sentence of 90 days in jail. He got released on Dec. 5, just nine days before the Heisman ceremony in New York.

He also was sentenced to three years of probation that required him not to leave the county without the consent of his probation officer and not to be released until outfitted with a monitor. His obligations to the court prevented him from attending the Heisman ceremony, according to court documents.

The prior conviction involving heroin stems from his arrest in Palm Beach County in October 2017. In that case, he was sentenced to two years in state custody with credit for 123 days of time served, according to court documents from February 2019.

That sentence played out when Hunter Jr., now 21, was in high school.

“From not seeing probably two games in high school to seeing me on TV every weekend and coming to see me – that means so much to me,’ Hunter Jr. said during his Heisman speech.

How Travis Hunter’s dad is able to attend NFL draft

In March, Hunter Sr.’s attorney asked the state court to allow him to travel to Green Bay for the draft this week.  

“Both Mr. Hunter and his son are praying that he be permitted to attend this event in hopes of being with his son now that he is entering his sixth month of supervision,” the request said.

Judge Howard Coates granted the request March 19.

“Defendant will be allowed to accompany his son to the event and shall return to his pre-approved lodging upon the completion of the first-round selections after his son concludes his appearance at the ceremonial first night,” the judge’s order stated. “Defendant is permitted to travel departing West Palm Beach on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 and shall return to West Palm Beach on Friday, April 25, 2025. Other than attending the ceremony the evening of the 24th, Defendant shall otherwise abide by his approved schedule.”

The judge’s order said Hunter Sr. must be in full compliance with his electronic monitoring and is restricted to the grounds of the hotel other than attending the draft ceremony. The order also said he is required to submit to urinalysis upon return as directed by his community control officer.

Hunter Sr. didn’t return a message seeking comment.

Travis Hunter’s road to the NFL

After his childhood in Palm Beach County, Travis Hunter’s mom moved him to Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Georgia, where his family of five was living back then in a converted motel room, not including Hunter Sr., said Drew Swick, the coach at Collins Hill.

Swick told USA TODAY Sports last year that Hunter’s grades started dropping at one point before another coach, Frontia Fountain, let him move in with him.

“From there on, Travis kind of flourished,” Swick told USA TODAY Sports.

Hunter later played for coach Deion Sanders at Jackson State before moving with him to Colorado in 2023. Last year, Hunter Jr. revealed on YouTube that he bought a house in Savannah for his mom, who attended the Heisman ceremony in New York.

Off the field, Hunter Jr. became an ace student at Colorado and now is hoping to play both receiver and cornerback in the NFL, much like he did in college.

His jersey No. 12 was retired by Colorado in a ceremony in Boulder on Saturday.

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

(This story was updated to add new information.)

It didn’t take long for the first trade to happen in the first draft (since 2002) that all 32 teams held their own original first-round pick.

The Jacksonville Jaguars made a bold move up to No. 2 to select 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, trading up into the spot originally held by the Cleveland Browns. The Browns, meanwhile, received the No. 5 overall selection, which they used on Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham. The Browns also received a 2025 second-rounder, a 2025 fourth-rounder, as well as a 2026 first-round pick.

The first round then went 23 selections without a trade, until the New York Giants traded back into Round 1 to select Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart. The Giants surrendered two 2025 second-day picks and a 2026 third-rounder.

➤ Draft tracker: Round 1 

Here are details for all of the noteworthy trades executed before and during the 2025 NFL Draft:

Giants trade back into first round for Jaxson Dart

2025 first-round pick (No. 25): Jaxson Dart

2025 second-round pick (No. 34)
2025 third-round pick (No. 99)
2026 third-round pick

Jaguars trade up with Browns to pick Travis Hunter

2025 first-round pick (No. 2): Travis Hunter
2025 fourth-round pick (No. 104)
2025 sixth-round pick (No. 200)

2025 first-round pick (No. 5): Mason Graham
2025 second-round (No. 36)
2025 fourth-round (No. 126)
2026 first-round pick

Browns, Texans swap late-round picks in draft-day trade

2025 fifth-round pick (No. 166):
2027 fifth-round pick

2025 sixth-round pick (No. 179)
2025 sixth-round pick (No. 216)
2025 seventh-round pick (No. 255)

Finally a wrap on Panthers and Bears, Bryce Young and Caleb Williams 2023 trade?

WR DJ Moore
2023 first-round pick (No. 9): Traded to Philadelphia Eagles
2023 second-round pick (No. 61): Traded to Jacksonville Jaguars
2024 first-round pick (No. 1): Caleb Williams
2025 second-round pick (No. 39)

2023 first-round pick (No. 1): Bryce Young

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell showed up to the 2025 NFL Draft in style.

Goodell rode a bike onto the stage in Green Bay, Wisconsin to make his grand entrance. Several Green Bay Packers legends, including former linebacker Clay Matthews, and rapper (and well-known Packers fan) Lil Wayne joined the commissioner in his brief ride.

The bit was an homage to the Packers’ annual tradition of riding their own bikes to training camp practices.

As is tradition, boos rained down on the commissioner as he arrived on the stage, though Goodell continued to smile and wave to the gathered crowd. The audience changed their tune when Lil Wayne rode in on his bike; they cheered loudly for the rapper.

Goodell went on to announce the Tennessee Titans were officially on the clock with the No. 1 overall pick.

Moments later, Tennessee selected Miami (Florida) quarterback Cam Ward, who becomes the 90th player in history to be the first overall selection in the NFL draft.

The 10th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft hadn’t even been announced when the league dropped this year’s schedule release date.

Before NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced the Chicago Bears’ pick at No. 10 overall, ESPN’s Laura Rutledge and NFL Network’s Colleen Wolfe announced the date of the 2025 schedule release on the draft stage in Green Bay.

The NFL will announce the full 2025 schedule on Wednesday, May 14.

The NFL’s schedule release has become one of the league’s marquee events of the offseason. On schedule release day, the league announces the full, 18-week slate of matchups for all 32 teams.

This year’s schedule release is coming one day earlier than it did last year, on May 15. The NFL announced the full 2024 schedule at 8 p.m. ET that night.

According to a graphic on the Cleveland Browns’ official website, this year’s schedule release will also be revealed at 8 p.m. ET on May 14.

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