Harden's decision was jarring in real time, but he indicated there was a reason he tried to block Kawhi Leonard's 3-pointer.
Jacob Camenker
The 32-year-old forward left the Clippers' game against the Timberwolves after the first quarter Tuesday, then left the arena.
Kyle Irving
Seven years later, Paul Pierce and Draymond Green have made amends for their viral trash-talking moment.
Despite a recent snag in high-level play, the larger sample size is enough to show just why this LA team is capable of advancing to the Finals for the first time in franchise history.
Gilbert McGregor
With nautical themes abound, the basketball world has not been shy with its critiques and assessments of the new brand. Take a closer look at what it all means.
JJ Redick's best spell of professional basketball happened when he was a member of the Clippers. Here's why.
David Suggs
The veteran forward has not started a game for the Clippers and is currently averaging the fewest minutes per game of his career.
Edward Sutelan
Here is what you need to know about Kawhi Leonard's new deal.
How much time will Leonard miss and what does it mean for the Clippers? Here is the latest on his recovery.
This version of James Harden is different from the one the 76ers got last season.
Scott Rafferty
Kawhi Leonard has been quietly putting together an All-Star resume for the Clippers, who are getting better with each game.
Stephen Noh
What led to the decision to bring Russell Westbrook off the bench? Here's what we know.
As LA looks to right the ship and live up to its aspirations to contend in the Western Conference, here's a look at how things have gone since the team added James Harden to its roster.
The Clippers are 0-4 with James Harden in the lineup. What's going on with them, and how worried should Clippers fans be?
Here's what to make of Harden's debut in a Clippers uniform.
As this Clippers team begins its journey, head coach Tyronn Lue has given an idea of what things may look like.
Here are the latest updates on the trade that ends James Harden's time with the 76ers.
Westbrook will return to the Clippers after agreeing to a new contract.
Sam Jarden
Is James Harden to the Clippers actually possible? Let's take a closer look.
Here's the latest on Kawhi Leonard's knee injury and when he could return for the Clippers.
The Celtics and Wizards agreed to a deal to send Kristaps Porzingis to Boston, but here's why they had to do so without the help of the Clippers.
The Suns are reportedly weighing their options to trade or waive 12-time All-Star Chris Paul. Where could the future Hall of Famer end up next?
Medical expert, Dr. Michael S. George of the KSF Orthopaedic Center in Houston, provided insight on the nature of Leonard's injury and potential setbacks in his recovery.
Leonard has battled numerous injuries in recent years, with the latest a torn meniscus suffered during the 2023 playoffs.
Leonard missed the final three games of his team's first-round matchup against the Suns after suffering a right knee injury earlier in the series.
Jordan Greer
Kawhi Leonard has a torn meniscus, the latest setback for the oft-injured two-time Finals MVP who has suffered multiple significant knee injuries.
Micah Adams
Here's what we know about Kawhi Leonard's injury and the latest news on when he could return.
The Clippers have been eliminated from the 2023 NBA Playoffs after falling to the Suns in five games.
Leonard has appeared in 161 of a possible 308 regular season games and 26 of a possible 39 postseason games since joining the Clippers.
"When he retires, people are really gonna tell the truth about how they feel about his game," Durant said.
Steve Ballmer has brought an unmatched level of excitement to the Clippers since he became the owner of the franchise in 2014.
Devin Booker recorded his fifth 40-point playoff game, matching Charles Barkley's franchise record.
Benyam Kidane
Kawhi Leonard is once again dealing with an injury in the NBA Playoffs. Take a look at the lengthy injury history for the superstar forward.
Russell Westbrook and the Clippers have exacted early change in their series against Phoenix.
Kevin Skiver
After dropping Game 1 at home, the Suns got back to business in Game 2, torching the Clippers from the midrange.
The Clippers' playoff schedule and health issues could ultimately swing their first-round series.
After Game 2, a clip made the rounds on social media of Paul and Leonard bumping into each other postgame.
Paul appeared to be in some discomfort in the fourth quarter, undergoing an X-ray on his right hand post-game.
If you're wondering about the "Honey" script on the Clippers' jerseys, you've come to the right place.
Westbrook came up with multiple key plays for the Clippers down the stretch, crashing the offensive glass, blocking shots and willing his team to victory.
George will miss at least the Clippers' first round series against the Suns with a knee sprain.
Four years after Kevin Durant's Achilles injury ended his time in the 2019 Finals and rerouted his career, he and Kawhi Leonard will share a stage in the postseason.
Losing in the first round would be a disappointment for the Suns or Clippers. Which team has the edge?
Westbrook came to play in his first opportunity to face the Lakers as a member of the Clippers.
While initial reports indicated there was "real concern" that Paul George's injury was serious, imaging revealed no structural damage outside of a knee sprain.
Paul George exited the Clippers' March 21 contest against the Thunder with a knee injury and did not return.
Since the calendar flipped to 2023, Leonard's stats are up across the board and in line with what he produced during his championship run in Toronto.
Westbrook still qualifies as a candidate for the Sixth Man of the Year award because the official rule is that a player only needs to come off the bench more than he starts.
The Kings and Clippers combined for 351 points as Sacramento defeated LA in a double-overtime thriller on Friday.
Russell Westbrook went for a double-double of 17 points and 14 assists in his Clippers debut.
After agreeing to a buyout with the Jazz, Russell Westbrook is expected to join up with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. How will the Clippers look with that new big three?
It turns out Russell Westbrook will finish the 2022-23 season with Los Angeles after all.
There are a number of reasons that allow the Clippers to stand out from the pack from other reported suitors.
LeBron James has now scored 40 points against every NBA team he's played against.
What's next for Paul George and what does his latest setback mean for the Clippers? Here is what we know about his injury and when he could return.
Mazzulla is set to miss his second game due to corneal abrasions in his eyes.
When healthy, the superstar version of Leonard completes the Clippers' championship puzzle, but is he still capable of performing at that level? The stats may serve as a starting point, but the eye test answers that question better than any numbers could.
George suffered the hamstring injury on Nov. 19 in a game against the Spurs and was considered day-to-day.
Here's everything we know about Leonard's injury and the latest news on when he may return to the court.
Kawhi Leonard finished with six points, five rebounds and four assists against the Pistons.
What's next for Kawhi Leonard? Here's what we know about his injury and when he will return to the floor for the Clippers.
Throughout his career, Kawhi Leonard has missed hundreds of games because of injuries and load management. Here's a complete breakdown of every single game he's ever missed.
The Sporting News reached out to medical expert Dr. Michael S. George of the KSF Orthopaedic Center in Houston to gain more insight into the cause of Leonard's injury and the concern level surrounding the obstacles he's faced since undergoing surgery.
It was a home game for the Mavericks, but Luka Doncic celebrated his game-sealing bucket with a shush gesture. Why? Not even he knows.
There are many reasons for the Lakers' 0-2 start to the season, but Russell Westbrook is once again shouldering a lot of the blame.
Leonard came off the bench for the Clippers, playing just 21 minutes against the Lakers.
John Wall returned like he never left, turning in an impressive performance off the bench for the Clippers in their 103-97 win over the Lakers.
Leonard started off the bench for the first time since the 2013-14 season.
The Clippers are among the favorites to be crowned champions this NBA season, but to be the last team standing, they'll need Kawhi Leonard back on the court.
Maccabi Ra'anana's date with the Clippers marks the first time since 2019 that an international club faces an NBA team.
After appearing in just 40 games for the Houston Rockets, John Wall is set to his unrestricted free agency after receiving a buyout.
Where do the Los Angeles Clippers land in the draft order? Here is everything you need to know ahead of the 2022 NBA Draft.
Ananth Pandian
Kawhi Leonard has not taken the floor since Game 4 of the 2021 Western Conference Semifinals. Will he return for the 2022 postseason?
George scored a team-high 34 points in Los Angeles' 109-104 loss against Minnesota.
The No. 8 seed in the Western Conference comes down to the Clippers and Pelicans in the final Play-In game.
The Timberwolves are heading back to the playoffs for the first time since 2018 and just the second time since 2004 and they certainly weren't letting the moment slip by.
The Minnesota Timberwolves took over in the fourth to beat the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA Play-In Tournament.
Here is everything you need to know to watch Clippers vs. Timberwolves internationally.
The Los Angeles Clippers could be a tough matchup in the postseason for any team in the West.
For the first time in three months, the LA Clippers were able to list Paul George as something other than 'out' on their team list for their game against the Jazz on Tuesday night, with PG making a triumphant comeback.
Nick Metallinos
Paul George suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament which has kept him sidelined, last playing for the Clippers on Dec. 22.
Here's everything we know about Kawhi Leonard's injury and the latest news on when he may return to the court.
The Lakers moved to 27-35 on the season in losing to the Clippers on Thursday.
The Lakers are currently in shambles and the Clippers have taken advantage of their rivals' situation, defeating them at Crypto.com Arena and maintaining coach Ty Lue's unbeaten record against the Lakers since taking over as head coach in Los Angeles.
From Kawhi Leonard to Zion Williamson to Jamal Murray and more, here are some stars who could make their return to the floor after the All-Star break.
Luka Doncic dropped a career-high 51 points, along with nine rebounds and six assists as the Dallas Mavericks won their fourth straight game, beating the Los Angeles Clippers 112-105.
The Clippers have received Norman Powell and Robert Covington from the Trail Blazers in exchange for Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, Keon Johnson and a future second-round pick, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski says.
The Clippers are sending Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, Keon Johnson and a future second-round pick to the Trail Blazers for Norman Powell and Robert Covington, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski says.
This victory by the depleted Clippers shouldn't come as a surprise. They have been doing this all season, winning 13 of the 28 games when Paul George was sidelined while Kawhi Leonard has been "out" all season.
Yash Matange
With the 35-point comeback, the Clippers made franchise history and turned in the second-largest comeback in NBA history.
Although LeBron James has said he doesn't want to celebrate career milestones until he's retired, he is set to pass a few this season.
With the time difference, nearly every NBA game is played while Indians are switching off their alarms and getting ready for the working day ahead. The only opportunity that they get to watch live rivetting NBA action with their feet up in over the weekend. Saturday's slate has the potential for some spectacular basketball. So, here's a preview with all you need to know from the schedule, biggest storylines and how to watch these games.
76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey believes a Ben Simmons trade before the 2021-22 trade deadline is "less likely than likely."
Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic not only stuffed the stat sheet by coming up big through key stretches of the game but also set-up the game-winning play in overtime, helping the Nuggets edge the Clippers
From pregame addresses to halftime performances, Dr. Martin Luther King was honoured throughout the NBA action on the holiday.
Kawhi Leonard suffered a partially torn ACL in the Clippers second round series against the Jazz. According to Yahoo's Chris Haynes, he's ahead of schedule and could return during the 2021-22 season.
The Celtics and Hawks have both fallen well short of expectations so far this season, but which team should you be more concerned about?
Expecting to contend with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, what's next for the Clippers with both stars sidelined by long term injuries?
Kane Pitman
The Boston Celtics turned the ball over 23 times in their three-point loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, 111-114.
A few days later after Stern's veto Paul was traded to the LA Clippers, thus giving birth to the Lob City era in Los Angeles.
There's nothing better than beginning the weekend with some hot tea or coffee on a cold winter Saturday morning along with some great dose of basketball action. Here's a preview with all you need to know about Saturday's games with the schedule, biggest storylines and how to watch them.
While Steph Curry and DeMar DeRozan have taken the early headlines in the MVP race, LA Clippers star Paul George is quietly entering the race.
Nine games on Saturday night included a historic performance by the reigning Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo as eight of the nine home teams recorded wins. In case you missed any of the action, here's a recap with the best game, top performance and highlight from the slate.
NBA.com Staff
An exciting nine-game slate provided plenty of action and thrilling performances headlined by the marquee contest between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics. In case you missed anything, we got you covered with the best game, top performers and the final scores.
Just six games on Thursday night but plenty of action and competitive games to look back on. In case you missed anything, we got you covered with the top highlight, best game and top fantasy performers.
Ja Morant is off to a roaring start to the 2021-22 season, earning comparisons to the youngest MVP in league history by his peers.
"I grew up this being STAPLES and STAPLES being the place to play and the place to be," Paul George said. "It'll definitely be weird."
After starting the season 1-4, the Clippers have bounced back by winning eight of their next nine led by Paul George's MVP level of play.
Through the first month of the season, the NBA's Most Valuable Player is...
Chicago's star guard is steady as usual as the Bulls score an emotional win in his California homecoming.
Mark Medina
Seven games around the league on Sunday, headlined by big wins for the Lakers, Hornets and Hawks. If you missed any of the action, we've got you covered with the best game, highlight, performance, fantasy performers and more below.
Saturday's seven-game slate served up plenty of big performances! If you missed any of the action, we've got you covered with the best game, highlight, performance, fantasy performers and more below.
Tuesday's three-game slate had no shortage of action with the Bucks, Jazz and Clippers picking up wins. Catch up on all the news, scores and highlights right here.
The veteran players each guided their squads to undefeated records in Week 3.
Over the final seven minutes, the Clippers went on a game-sealing 27-4 run. The loss was the fourth straight for the Hornets, who had started the season positively by winning five of their first seven.
The Charlotte Hornets collapsed late against the LA Clippers, with LaMelo Ball going cold down the stretch. The rising star discussed his fourth quarter minutes postgame, in a continuation of of the young guard learning how to lead his squad.
An exciting eight games cap-off the first week of November as the NBA schedule slowly heads towards its first holiday - Thanksgiving. Catch up on all the news, scores and highlights right here.
The Cavaliers comeback win over the Raptors and the Knicks comeback win over the Bucks highlight Friday's nine-game slate.
What a night of hoops it was around the NBA with eleven games on the slate. Three games where decided by one possession, with monster performances across the league. Catch up on all the news, scores and highlights right here.
Paul George scored 27 of his 32 points in the second half, including being responsible for 18 of the team's final 27 points, as the Clippers overcame OKC with a 17-3 game-sealing run over the final 2:43 minutes.
This was a fun night around the NBA. We had rookie battles, vintage veteran performances and statement wins. If you missed any of the action check in here for the scores, highlights and best performances of the night.
Nine games filled the slate on Monday night (ET), as the Chicago Bulls and Charlotte Hornets looked to remain undefeated in the early going. If you missed any of the action jump in right here for all the news, highlights and recaps of the day's play.
Steph Curry has done it again. The Golden State Warriors superstar exploded for 45 points in a win over the LA Clippers. Steve Kerr and Draymond Green sounded off on the latest monster night for the Warriors superstar.
Only three games on the slate but there was no shortage of highlights! Steph Curry explodes, Trae Young and the Hawks make a statement and Miami dominate the Bucks. Catch up on all the scores, news and highlights from today's action right here.
Curry was perfect in the first quarter and scored more than half of his team's points in the period.
Jake Aferiat
Day 9 of the preseason was a busy one with seven games on the schedule. Catch up on all the highlights and big performances as we recap the day's play.
It was a massive day of preseason basketball headlined by the Los Angeles Lakers season debut for LeBron James and Russell Westbrook. Catch up on all the scores, news and highlights in our daily recap.
Day 4 of the NBA preseason is in the books. Monster dunks, classic GIF's and some Luka magic were all on the agenda. If you missed any of the action we've got you covered here with scores, notable performers and top highlights!
The first multi-game slate of the 2021-22 NBA preseason and there was no shortage of action. We've got you covered with the final scores, top performers, biggest storylines and more from Day 2.
The 2021-22 NBA season is officially here as team's assembled for Media Day ahead of training camp. We've got you covered with all the biggest storylines from around the league.
For the first time since the 2021 Western Conference Semifinals, All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard addressed the media at the Clippers' Media Day. Leonard discussed a variety of topics from his offseason ACL surgery, availability for the upcoming season and the contract he signed with the Clippers.
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is set to miss a significant amount of time in the 2021-22 season as he recovers from a partially torn ACL suffered in last year's playoffs. His absence will put pressure on All-Star forward Paul George to perform at the highest level to keep the Clippers afloat until his co-star is back in action.
The Clippers finally made their first Conference Finals appearance in franchise history in 2021, but a season-ending ACL injury to star forward Kawhi Leonard resulted in them falling short of their NBA Finals goal. With Leonard out indefinitely for the 2021-22 season, can Paul George keep LA afloat?
JJ Redick retires with career averages of 12.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. One of the best 3-point shooters of his era, he ranks 15th all-time in 3-pointers made and 17th in 3-point percentage.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Wall and the Rockets have "agreed on working together to find a new home for the five-time All-Star." Wall appeared in 40 games last season and will likely look to join a contending team, but which teams are in a position to pursue the five-time All-Star?
The draft, free agency and trades and the avenues to building a contender. Not every team is constructed the same way. Ahead of the 2021-22 season, take a look at some of the contenders around the NBA and how they have priced their roster together.
The NBA has announced its Opening Week national television schedule for the 2021-22 season and there is no shortage of star power. The eight games feature 12 different teams, including the last eight players to win MVP and three matchups from last year's playoffs.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Clippers have traded Patrick Beverley, Rajon Rondo and Daniel Oturu to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Eric Bledsoe.
According to Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes, Kawhi Leonard has committed to returning to the Clippers. The Athletic has later reported the extension will be a four-year contract.
As roster-shuffling time nears, these players could be among the ones to watch in free agency this offseason.
John Schuhmann
Brian Shaw and Tyronn Lue were teammates on the Los Angeles Lakers for two seasons, each of which ended with an NBA title.
The former two-time NBA Finals MVP appeared to have injured himself late in Game 4 of the Conference Semifinals against the Utah Jazz. Through 11 games of the 2021 postseason, he averaged of a career-high 30.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.1 steals and a playoff career-high 57.3 percent shooting from the field.
Beverley will be suspended for the first game of the 2021-22 NBA regular season for which he is eligible to play.
Official Release
Down the stretch, Chris dominated the game. He scored 31 of his game-high 41 in the second half, as he took over the second half and helped the Suns advance to the NBA Finals by defeating the LA Clippers in a blow out 130-103 Game 6 win.
Behind a 41-point game from Chris Paul, the Phoenix Suns punch their ticket to the NBA Finals. It's CP3's first-ever Finals appearance and just the third-ever in Suns franchise history, which got plenty of NBA players - past and present reacting to the incredible achievement on Twitter.
Chris Paul turned in a legendary performance in Game 6, tying his playoff career-high with 41 points, 31 of which came in the second half. Let's take a deeper dive into the numbers!
A permanent fixture in the playoffs for over a decade, Chris Paul has finally gotten over the hump to reach the NBA Finals. Producing a vintage performance in Game 6, Paul tallied 41 points in a stunning individual effort, propelling the Suns to become Western Conference Champions.
LA's Game 6 loss to Phoenix brings an end to a historic season for the franchise. The Clippers can now shift their attention to an important offseason, which includes the potential free agency of Kawhi Leonard.
Reggie Jackson produced a remarkable breakout run during the 2021 postseason, with the upcoming free agent emotional as he discussed his time with the franchise.
After a career performance from Paul George helped the Clippers stave off elimination, the series shifts back to Los Angeles, as the pressure will begin to mount for the visiting Suns.
Fresh off dropping a playoff career-high 41 points, Paul George admitted that the unjust criticisms over the past years don't matter to him but he does believe that he is picked on the most in the league.
The Suns will now head to LA for an opportunity to close out the series in Game 6 after falling short on their home floor.
Paul George scored 30 of his 41 in the second half, including 20 in the third quarter as he led a balanced Clippers offence in the 116-102 Game 5 road win.
LA and coach Tyronn Lue can pinpoint the issues that have led it to their current state. But, is it too late to fix things?
Michael C. Wright
In a defence-first game, the visiting Suns withstood the Clippers' second-half rally and held on for the hard-fought victory. The victory puts them one win away from making their first NBA Finals since 1993.
Chris Paul is just one win away from making it to his first NBA Finals as the Suns take a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Clippers.
En route to their first-ever Conference Finals, the LA Clippers made NBA history by overcoming two 0-2 series deficits, but now against the Phoenix Suns, they are facing 3-1 hole. Can they overcome the odds once again? Their head coach, who led a historic comeback in the NBA Finals in 2016 surely believes so.
The Suns are eager to re-establish the relentless formula that earned them a berth in the Western Conference Finals.
The Clippers have been here before. Trailing 2-0 for the third consecutive series this postseason, the Clippers won Game 3 for the third consecutive series behind a big night from Paul George.
It was a tough night for Devin Booker in Game 3, with the star guard finishing with 15 points on just 5-for-21 shooting. The Phoenix Suns star shared details of the severity of his nose injury suffered in Game 2, while also discussing wearing a mask in the loss.
For the third straight time in the 2021 playoffs, the Clippers have won Game 3 after being down 0-2 in a series. It was the topic of conversation as nearly every player gave his take on the reason behind it with the common theme being the team's 'resilience'.
Coming off a career-high 29 points, Cameron Payne's Game 3 was cut short with a left ankle injury. Playing just 4:19 minutes, he had recorded two points and an assist when he left the floor.
Chris Paul missed the first two games of the Western Conference Finals due to the league's health and safety protocols. The 11-time All-Star is averaging 15.7 points and 8.7 assists per game on .509/.444/.912 shooting splits in these playoffs.
The Game 2 victory, despite Devin Booker's off-shooting night, was Phoenix's ninth straight while the Clippers have won their last four at home. How will Game 3 turn out? Below, find everything you need to know ahead of a pivotal Game 3.
The Suns' third-year center dropped 24 points on the Clippers in Game 2. Here's how he stole victory with an alley-oop at the close.
Shaun Powell
Five different Suns scored in double digits but two came up huge - Deandre Ayton and Cameron Payne - as they overcome an off-shooting night from Devin Booker to win their ninth straight and take a 2-0 series lead.
The Phoenix Suns pulled off a miracle to snatch the win in Game 2, thanks to Deandre Ayton's last-gasp alley-oop, drawing plenty of reactions from players around the league on Twitter.
For the third straight series the LA Clippers find themselves trailing 2-0. Leading with just 0.9 seconds on the clock in Game 2, the Clippers have vowed to put the disappointment behind them and move on to Game 3 at home.
After potentially breaking his nose earlier in the game, even needing stitches, Booker came up big on the game's winning play by setting a critical physical screen. After the game, head coach Monty Williams and his teammates credited and shouted-out his contribution to the play.
Devin Booker fills in ably for the absent Chris Paul in Game 1, piling up 40 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists for his first career triple-double.
What an unbelievable performance for 24-year-old superstar Devin Booker. In his first-ever Conference Finals appearance, Booker erupted for the first triple-double of his career, giving the Suns 40 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists to outlast a strong showing from Clippers star Paul George and take Game 1.
The Suns and Clippers are set for a showdown, reaching the Western Conference Finals stage in very different ways. Phoenix swept its way past the Nuggets to reach the Conference Finals for the first time since its last postseason appearance in 2010. LA had to pull off two wins over the Jazz without All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard to reach the first Conference Finals in franchise history.
Trailing by 25 points, the shorthanded LA Clippers had to trust. The mantra filtered through the lineup, with Terance Mann taking the responsibility of carrying the offence back into the game. That trust and belief now sees the Clippers in the Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history.
The LA Clippers have advanced to the first Conference Finals in franchise history behind a 39-point night from Terance Mann. Trailing by 25 points, the series was seemingly headed for Game 7, before Mann took over and the Clippers rolled to an incredible comeback.
Kawhi Leonard appeared to injure his right knee in the closing minutes of Game 4 against the Jazz.
With Kawhi Leonard sidelined indefinitely, many wondered if the LA Clippers' season was over. Enter Paul George. Delivering a 37-point, 16-rebound performance, PG silenced the critics to bring the Clippers within one win of a historic Conference Finals appearance.
In the absence of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George led the way and stuffed the stat sheet with 37 points, 16 rebounds, five assists and two blocks as the Clippers picked up the win in the pivotal Game 5 on the road.
NBA.com's Carlan Gay and Scott Rafferty break down the latest topics in the NBA playoffs and beyond on the LIVE edition of NBA Soundsystem.
The Clippers have embraced their small-ball identity over the past two games and now find themselves right back in the series against the Utah Jazz.
Behind a 30-13 first quarter, the Clippers led Game 4 by as many as 29 before eventually winning it 118-104 and tying up the series at two games apiece.
The Clippers superstars dominated each half, with Paul George showing off early while Kawhi Leonard took over late, in a huge 26-point (132-106) victory at home.
George torched the Jazz with a combination of drives to the rim and his 3-point shooting as they cut the series deficit to 2-1.
Donovan Mitchell left the game with 7:06 remaining in the fourth quarter after an awkward layup and did not return.
Courtesy of the Clippers' physical, aggressive defence in Game 3, Donovan Mitchell went from averaging 41.0 points on 52.5 percent shooting from the field in Games 1 and 2 to 30 points on 11-of-24 shooting from the field on Saturday night ET.
Mike Conley continues to recover from a right hamstring strain that caused him to miss the first two games of the series.
Serge Ibaka, who joined the Clippers via free agency in 2020, missed 31 regular season games and seven of LA's first nine games this postseason, will miss the remainder of the playoffs after undergoing back surgery.
Donovan Mitchell dropped a game-high 37 points, as the Jazz won their sixth straight postseason game to take a 2-0 series lead against the Clippers.
In the final seconds of the Jazz's Game 2 win, Donovan Mitchell fell to the floor and seemed in discomfort after a collision with Paul George. Postgame, the 24-year-old downplayed any injury talks and said he was fine.
The Utah Jazz finished with the NBA's best regular season record based on a balanced offensive attack and lethal outside shooting. Head coach Quin Snyder praised that approach in Game 2, which included big nights from Joe Ingles and Jordan Clarkson.
The All-Star guard continues to recover from a right hamstring strain.
The Jazz got off to a slow start, including 20 straight misses early in the first quarter but they rebounded from that to clinch Game 1 on the final possession, 112-109. Donovan Mitchell, who was receiving counsel from the franchise's minority owner Dwyane Wade on the sidelines, led the comeback by scoring 32 of his game-high points tally in the second half.
During the third quarter of the Utah Jazz's Game 1 win, minority owner Dwyane Wade was giving Donovan Mitchell some pointers from the bench, with the All-Star going on to record 45 points.
Mike Conley averaged 17.4 points, 8.6 assists and 3.8 rebounds in Utah's first-round series against Memphis, but the one-time All-Star left Game 5 with right hamstring soreness.
Can the Clippers carry their momentum off the back of a seven-game series into the second round? Will the Jazz's five day rest be a blessing or a curse? Two of the best teams in the regular season meet in the second round in a star-studded matchup!
A new group of superstars are starting to write their playoff stories as the conference semifinals get underway.
Steve Aschburner
The heavy hitters came to play in a win-or-go-home Game 7. Luka Doncic was unbelievable, going for 46 points, 14 assists and seven rebounds but it wasn't enough for the Mavericks to overcome the Clippers. Behind Kawhi Leonard's near-triple-double of 28 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, LA advances to the Conference Semifinals.
In NBA playoff history, the Mavericks and the Clippers have only matched-up twice in the postseason - 2020 and 2021. Now, they are set for their first-ever head-to-head Game 7.That said, take a look back at how each franchise has fared in Game 7s in the past.
The Clippers force a Game 7 behind a huge performance from Kawhi Leonard in a tightly-contested Game 6 that saw 19 lead changes and six ties. With this victory, the road team improves to an unbeaten 6-0 in this series.
Put another Kawhi Leonard classic playoff performance in the books. The LA Clippers superstar dropped 45 points while also defending Luka Doncic on the other end, willing his team to a Game 6 win and forcing a series decider at home.
Luka Doncic leads Dallas past LA with 42 points in 42 minutes, but will he be able to sustain his play with extra minutes?
