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LOS ANGELES – For the second time in about 10 months, Paul George the LA Clippers overcame a monster deficit at home to defeat Donovan Mitchell and the Utah Jazz. The first time happened in June 2021, and one would've hoped that the Jazz learned their lesson back then. But nope.
Behind 34 points from Paul George in his first game back, the Clippers defeat the Utah Jazz, 121-115. Reggie Jackson had 21 points for the Clippers, while Luke Kennard had 17 points and Isaiah Hartenstein had 14 points off the bench.
Donovan Mitchell barely missed out on game-high scorer honors, finishing with 33 points and six assists. Mike Conley added 19 points for the Jazz while Jordan Clarkson scored 17 points.
The Jazz led 76-51 in the third quarter, and appeared well on their way towards a second blowout victory over the Clippers in a little over a week. Instead, the ‘Comeback Clippers' added another one to list, coming back from down at least 24 points for the fourth time this season came back in the same way we saw the Clippers win Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
In fact, the last time the Utah Jazz were in Los Angeles to play the Clippers was Friday, June 18th. Back then, the Clippers also came back from down 25 points to defeat the Jazz and advance to their first ever Western Conference Finals.
Tuesday's game felt eerily similar to the epic Game 6 showdown, and the way the Jazz lost had Donovan Mitchell speechless.
“I don't even know what to say,” Mitchell said. It's the same shit. I mean yeah it feels the same way. It's the same thing. This is literally the same thing. I had six turnovers, turned the ball over too much. We didn't get back on defense, we didn't rebound… I don't know what to say. I ain't got nothing for you right now.”
"I don't even know what to say… It's the same shit. I mean yeah it feels the same way. It's the same thing. This is literally the same thing… I don't know what to say."
Donovan Mitchell on Jazz blowing 25-point 2nd half lead to Clippers. pic.twitter.com/uhANFbusvn
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) March 30, 2022
Earlier in the night, Jazz head coach Quin Snyder recalled the last time the Jazz faced the Clippers on the road, and said their Game 6 collapse led to one of the longest summers where pretty much everybody was in pain.
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Jazz coach Quin Snyder says after the playoff loss to the Clippers last year was, ‘one of the longest summers. We all felt pain.’
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) March 30, 2022
Rudy Gobert and Quin Snyder weren't far off from what Mitchell said, finding it hard to put the exact same collapse to words.
Paul George did it again Tuesday, scoring 26 of his 34 points in the second half. His expected minutes restriction of 28 was somewhat lifted as the star finished with 31 total minutes.
“I was always optimistic that I could come back and play,” Paul George said after the win. “Just my history, coming down to playoffs. I've always played through some sort of injury, so, I just didn't know how bad it was gonna be or how much time it was gonna take, but I just kept the guys encouraged to keep going and stay in it because at some point I will return.”
“I was always optimistic that I could come back and play… I just kept the guys encouraged to keep going and stay in it because at some point I will return.”
Paul George on if he thought he’d be able to return to Clippers this season. pic.twitter.com/jYv5cdT183
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) March 30, 2022
The Jazz finished their six-game road trip with a 1-5 record, and are now in danger of potentially falling into the play-in tournament. They're still two games ahead of the Timberwolves and they hold the season series tiebreaker, but this NBA season has shown that anything is possible.
The Clippers, on the other hand, are battling to play well and retain their spot as the eighth seed in the Western Conference. The win over Utah ended a five-game losing streak, and put some breathing room between them and the New Orleans Pelicans as they chase a higher potential play-in spot.
