One of those key players is Russell Westbrook, who is more familiar with being a star than a complementary player. However, his impact in the first round for the Nuggets has been seen, and during a blowout in Game 7,

Russell Westbrook and the Denver Nuggets used a 15-0 third-quarter run to clinch the series in a 120-101 Game 7 win against the Los Angeles Clippers to advance to the Western Conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. After walking off the floor, Westbrook sent a message to the Thunder and their fans.

Some muffled M-V-P chants reverberated throughout the arena. The score read: Nuggets 52, Clippers 38. Denver never trailed, despite an average game from Nikola Jokic (a 13-point triple-double). Westbrook was not the difference. But he was a reason for the relatively easy win.