The Los Angeles Clippers had a chance to tie Game 5 with just 8.8 seconds left in regulation. But instead of utilizing the remaining clock to get the best shot available, Kawhi Leonard put up a contested heave with over four seconds remaining.
Leonard ended up double-clutching on a corner triple that got nothing but air. His Clippers teammate Rajon Rondo was clearly not happy with the attempt:
Kawhi airballed a chance to tie it with under 5 seconds left. pic.twitter.com/dMWpjcJXiU
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 3, 2021
Rondo had a talk with Kawhi after that last shot. 👀 pic.twitter.com/kVlaVVjhUh
— House of Highlights (@HoHighlights) June 3, 2021




The veteran guard definitely would've wanted a better shot at such a critical juncture of the game, and the series. After being down by double digits in the fourth quarter, the Clippers stormed back to cut the deficit to one plus possession of the basketball. But LA flubbed an opportunity to take the lead on this fast-break sequence that led to an attempt at the rim from Nicolas Batum:
Here's the shot attempt many are talking about: Terance Mann passing up a layup to get Nic Batum a look.
It would've been an awkward attempt anyways. This game is in no way on T-Mann.pic.twitter.com/JzYeY20n61
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) June 3, 2021
Considering the huge game the Mavs got from Luka Doncic, who tallied 42 points and 14 assists, the Clippers were lucky to be in a position to win it in the end. They had a balanced scoring attack, with three players eclipsing the 20-point mark. All five starters scored in double figures as well.
But the Clippers still have life as they head back to Dallas for Game 6.