LA Clippers guard Lou Williams was clearly frustrated after his team fell short in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals at the hands of the Denver Nuggets.
The Nuggets outlasted the Clippers over a seven game series, overcoming the 3-1 deficit to win the series 4-3. Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic led the way for Denver high-powered offense, but it was the Clippers offense that faltered in the biggest moments. Williams had everything to do with that.
Lou Williams did not have a good postseason by any stretch, averaging just 12.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists on 42.5 percent shooting from the field. He was consistently picked on defensively, and while he did have a few good offensive and defensive outings, it wasn't enough to offset the bad ones.
Particularly against the Nuggets, Williams averaged just 10 points 3.0 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game on just 35.4 percent shooting from the field. In the series, he made just three of his 27 attempts from beyond the arc, including a big one in Game 5 that could've given the Clippers the lead.
“Yeah, we're pissed off,” Lou Williams said postgame. “Simple and plain. We're pissed off. We were up 3-1. We had two opportunities to win this series and we didn't. We didn't close it out. So we're pissed off. We look forward to the opportunity to get back on the floor together.
“You got to give credit them credit, as well. I mean, Jamal Murray, these last two series, he's played out of his mind. You give a guy credit. He put that team on his back. Jokic put that team on his back and those guys put themselves in a position to win”
Despite being up 3-1 in the series and holding a 16-point third quarter lead in Game 5, a 19-point third quarter lead in Game 6, and a 12-point second quarter lead in Game 7, the Clippers' offense came to a halt in second halves. Over the final three games, LA was outscored 181-117 in second halves as Denver made comeback after comeback to win the series.
“We came up short,” Williams added. “You know, we came up short. We just briefly we had a conversation already amongst guys that we've got a quick turnaround. We understand this is going to be a quick off-season and let's get back to work and continue to build. You know, we did have championship expectations. We had the talent to do it. I don't think we had the chemistry to do it and it showed. We had lapses on defense and offense where I think guys that played in systems where they were expected guys to be in certain spots offensively, a lot of different guys made adjustments. You know, it showed.
“But at the end of the day, we were up 3-1 and we had two opportunities to win games. We were up 20 points and we should have closed this deal out and we didn't. So you give credit to Denver for continuing to play. And like I said, we take our lumps and we keep moving.”
Lou Williams on the loss being a motivating factor – “We’re pissed off. Simple and plain. We’re pissed off. We were up 3-1, we had 2 opportunities to win this series and we didn’t, so we’re pissed off.
Lou adds that they’re pissed at themselves, but gives Denver credit. pic.twitter.com/GlAqPIG7Vc
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) September 16, 2020
The Clippers now head towards the dreaded offseason, where they'll certainly look to make a few roster moves and improve in preparation for the 2020-21 season, which is expected to start sometime in early 2021.
The 33-year old Lou Williams, who turns 34 in a little over a month, will be entering the final year of a three-year, $24 million extension he signed with the Clippers back in 2018.
Follow Us
Subscribe