Paul George Evokes Playoff Déjà Vu For Mavs in Clippers’ 93-123 Rout: “We’ve Been Here Before”

After losing a game at home, the Dallas Mavericks handed the Los Angeles Clippers a taste of their own pill. Entering the Crypto.com arena with an even series (2-2), the Mavs put up just a 1-point advantage in the first quarter. However, as Clippers players with Kawhi Leonard‘s absence and an off-night from Paul George, the visiting team soon built the lead to 10 at the half; only to put on a huge 30-point win at the final buzzer.

The loss marks one of the worst games of the newly-constructed superstar heavy Clippers’ squad. Moreover, their chances for the next round appear slimmer than ever, as they will now head to Dallas to face off in an elimination game. Nevertheless, when Paul George was asked about the odds stacked against his crew, he simply said, “We’ve been here before, going into Dallas down 3-2,” highlighting the 2021 playoff series.

The Clippers’ elimination water, in many ways, is similar to their 2021 post-season. Dallas and Clippers went head to head  in the first round of the West that year. The Mavs won the first two games however, the Clippers came through in the next two. Furthermore, just like their latest game, Luka Doncic and squad pulled Game 5 in 2021, sending Clippers on the verge of elimination; that too, with the next game at the American Airlines Center. However, that tale ends on a happy note for the LA fans.

The Clippers won Game 6 at Dallas in 2021

Paul George’s confidence, despite being down 2-3, comes from the Clippers advancement to second round after being in the same situation. However, this time around, Los Angeles lack the savior they had in 2021.

The postseason marked the Clippers’ first ever playoff stint. In the must-win Game 6, Kawhi Leonard scored 45 points, tying for his playoff career high and leading the team past Dallas with a 104-97 win. The series also marked the first time in NBA playoffs history that road teams won 6 consecutive games.

Currently, Leonard sees the bench due to a right knee inflammation. It has been a lingering issue for the win, which saw him sit out a handful of Clippers’ game at the end of their season. Moreover, he did not participate in Game 1 of the ongoing series, and sat out for Game 4 and Game 5 as well.

With that, the Clippers would want their best 2-way player to replicate the 2021 campaign’s success. However, Paul George’s confidence can soon turn into concerns. Kawhi is suffering with chronic inflammation, which takes longer to resolve when compared to acute, which can be resolved within hours. Given that, there is a huge chance that Kawhi can miss the coming Game 6 too; leaving the Clippers to come out with a miracle on their own.