Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) controls the ball as forward Derrick Jones Jr. (55) screens against Denver Nuggets forward Peyton

The Los Angeles Clippers battled the Denver Nuggets in a close game on Monday night for the chance to even the two teams' playoff series in Denver. Kawhi Leonard flirted with a 30-plus point game as the third quarter wound down in Denver as the Clippers attempted to hold on to their slim three-point halftime lead.

Kawhi Leonard scored 39 points on 15-of-19 shooting and the Los Angeles Clippers evened their first-round playoff series against the Nuggets with a 105-102 win in Denver.