The Los Angeles Clippers didn't score the 51 points the Philadelphia 76ers scored in the third quarter on Monday in the NBA Playoffs. They settled for 44. It was enough to create one of the all-time greatest comebacks in NBA playoff history.
The Clippers, down by 31 points midway through the third quarter, rallied past the Golden State Warriors, 135-131, in Game 2 of their first-round NBA playoff series. They made history not only with a 31-point comeback, but by scoring the most points in one quarter in their largely barren playoff history:
The #Clippers' 44 points in the quarter also set a franchise postseason record for most points in a quarter (per Clips). #Warriors
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) April 16, 2019
The Clippers have not yet made the Western Conference Finals, a reality underscored by the Chris Paul years. They haven't had many mountaintop moments to tout in postseasons past. This will become a moment every Clipper fan, player and coach will never forget.
The Clips used their historic 44-point third quarter to pull within “only” 14 points at the end of the third, shaving 17 points off what had been a 94-63 deficit. Down 108-94 through three, the Clippers then posted 41 in the fourth quarter to create a mind-blowing 85-point half. They won the final period, 41-23, and walked away with a win which — while it might not alter the ultimate outcome of the series — could profoundly complicate the Warriors' preparations for the Houston Rockets in round two of the playoffs, especially with the health of DeMarcus Cousins in question after his injury early in Game 2.
The Clippers didn't merely tie this Western Conference series at 1-1. They forged an accomplishment their young core — featuring Landry Shamet — can rally around for next season. The Clippers are viewed as a prime destination in free agency. This game could give them a heightened profile which will make free agents consider the “other” Los Angeles franchise even more.
Being part of the Clippers just became a lot cooler — and far more historic.
Who knows how many history-making moments the Clips will create in this series… or in the next few seasons?
The NBA Playoffs just became a lot more interesting, and the Clippers — yes, the Clippers — are responsible for this immense shift in the landscape.
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