Clippers erase 25-point deficit to stun Jazz, reach first conference finals
3 years ago
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The Clippers’ Reggie Jackson drives to the basket as Jazz center Rudy Gobert, left, defends during the fourth quarter of Game 6 of their second-round playoff series on Friday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket against Nicolas Batum #33 of the LA Clippers in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz shoots a 3-pointer over Terance Mann #14 of the LA Clippers in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Marcus Morris Sr. #8 of the LA Clippers fights for there rebound against Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazzin the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers scores past Royce O’Neale #23 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz shoots over Terance Mann #14 of the LA Clippers in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers controls the ball against the Utah Jazz in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Clippers guard Paul George wraps his arms around teammate Terance Mann after Mann scored and drew a foul during the first half of Game 6 of their second-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz on Friday night at Staples Center. Mann had a career-high 39 points in their 131-119 win, which clinched the franchise’s first trip to the Western Conference finals. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Clippers guard Paul George wraps his arms around teammate Terance Mann after Mann scored and drew a foul during the first half of Game 6 of their second-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz on Friday night at Staples Center. Mann had a career-high 39 points in their 131-119 win, which clinched the franchise’s first trip to the Western Conference finals. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Marcus Morris Sr. #8 of the LA Clippers fights for the rebound against Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz fouls Terance Mann #14 of the LA Clippers in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Terance Mann #14 of the LA Clippers reacts with teammate Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers after scoring and drawing the foul against the Utah Jazz in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Terance Mann #14 of the LA Clippers reacts with teammate Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers after scoring and drawing the foul against the Utah Jazz in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz fouls Terance Mann #14 of the LA Clippers in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head Coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz reacts against the LA Clippers in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head Coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz reacts against the LA Clippers in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz passes against the LA Clippers in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers shoots over Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers controls the ball against Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz shoots over Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz derives to the basket against the LA Clippers in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
LA Clippers take on the Utah Jazz in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz controls the ball against Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz controls the ball against tithe LA Clippers in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Nicolas Batum #33 of the LA Clippers reacts after committing a foul against the Utah Jazz in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Donovan Mitchell #45 sits on a table as head coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz looks on against her LA Clippers in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket against the LA Clippers in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Rajon Rondo #4 of the LA Clippers driver to the basket against the Utah Jazz in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Jordan Clarkson #00 of the Utah Jazz shoots against the LA Clippers in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers scrambles for the loose ball against Royce O’Neale #23 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers scrambles for the loose ball against Royce O’Neale #23 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Reggie Jackson #1 of the LA Clippers shoots a three pointer against Royce O’Neale #23 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Royce O’Neale #23 of the Utah Jazz rebounds over Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Nicolas Batum #33 of the LA Clippers control the ball against Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket against the Utah Jazz in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer looks on against the Utah Jazz in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
The Clippers’ Terance Mann soars past Utah’s Donovan Mitchell on his way to the basket during the second half of Game 6 of their second-round playoff series on Friday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann shoots during the second half in Game 6 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Utah Jazz Friday, June 18, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz passes against the LA Clippers in the second half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Utah Jazz forward Royce O’Neale gestures after hitting a three-point shot during the first half in Game 6 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers Friday, June 18, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Terance Mann #14 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket against the Utah Jazz in the second half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Marcus Morris Sr. #8 of the LA Clippers steals the ball against the Utah Jazz in the second half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
in the second half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket against Nicolas Batum #33 of the LA Clippers in the second half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers controls the ball against the Utah Jazz in the second half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Reggie Jackson #1 of the LA Clippers passes against the Utah Jazz in the second half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers shoots over Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz in the second half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Terance Mann #14 of the LA Clippers drives to the bases against the Utah Jazz in the second half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket against the Utah Jazz in the second half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson, right, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum, left, watches during the first half in Game 6 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series Friday, June 18, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers is fouled by Mike Conley #10 of the Utah Jazz in the second half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Royce O’Neale #23 of the Utah Jazz slam dunks against the LA Clippers in the second half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Utah Jazz forward Royce O’Neale, right, dunks as Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr. defends during the second half in Game 6 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series Friday, June 18, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Reggie Jackson #1 of the LA Clippers reacts after a three pointer against the Utah Jazz in the second half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers reacts after being fouled against the Utah Jazz in the second half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Tyronn Lue of the LA Clippers reacts against the Utah Jazz in the second half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers shoots a free throw against the Utah Jazz in the second half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Reggie Jackson #1 of the Clippers drives to the basket against Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz during the second half in Game Six of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Staples Center on June 18, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Reggie Jackson # 1 reacts after teammate Nicolas Batum (not pictured) of the LA Clippers hit a three pointer against the Utah Jazz in there fourth quarter of a game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers reacts after a three pointer against the Utah Jazz in there fourth quarter of a game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket against j213 in there fourth quarter of a game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Reggie Jackson #1 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket against Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz in there fourth quarter of a game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers shoots a three pointer against the Utah Jazz in there fourth quarter of a game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers reacts after shooting a three pointer against the Utah Jazz in there fourth quarter of a game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell, below, lays on the ground after being injured as members of the Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers stand by during the second half in Game 6 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series Friday, June 18, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz looks on against the LA Clippers in the first half of game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Terance Mann #14 of the LA Clippers rects after scoring against the Utah Jazz in there fourth quarter of a game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers reacts after scoring against the Utah Jazz in there fourth quarter of a game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Reggie Jackson #1 of the LA Clippers high fives a fan late in the fourth quarter as the LA Clippers defeat the Utah Jazz 131-119 during game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game and advance to the western conference finals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson, left, guards Los Angeles Clippers guard Reggie Jackson during the second half in Game 6 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series Friday, June 18, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz looks on as the LA Clippers defeat the Utah Jazz 131-119 during game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game and advance to the western conference finals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
as the LA Clippers defeat the Utah Jazz 131-119 during game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game and advance to the western conference finals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley celebrates in the closing seconds during the second half in Game 6 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Utah Jazz Friday, June 18, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Patrick Beverley #21 of the Los Angeles Clippers celebrates after forcing a turnover against Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz during the second half of Game Six of the Western Conference second-round playoff series against Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on June 18, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. Clippers eliminated the jazz, 131- 119. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer celebrates as the LA Clippers defeat the Utah Jazz 131-119 during game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game and advance to the western conference finals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Marcus Morris Sr. #8 hugs teammate Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers as one Steve Ballmer raises his arms in celebration as the LA Clippers defeat the Utah Jazz 131-119 during game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game and advance to the western conference finals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell, left, puts his arm around forward Bojan Bogdanovic in the closing minutes of the second half in Game 6 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series Friday, June 18, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Terance Mann #14 of the Los Angeles Clippers is congratulated by Daniel Oturu #10 of the Los Angeles Clippers after they eliminated the Utah Jazz, 131-119, in Game Six of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Staples Center on June 18, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Head coach Tyronn Lue shakes hands Terance Mann #14 of the LA Clippers as the LA Clippers defeat the Utah Jazz 131-119 during game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game and advance to the western conference finals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
LA Clippers fans cheer as the LA Clippers defeat the Utah Jazz 131-119 during game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game and advance to the western conference finals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
LA Clippers fans cheer as the LA Clippers defeat the Utah Jazz 131-119 during game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game and advance to the western conference finals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Royce O’Neale #23 of the Utah Jazz as the LA Clippers defeat the Utah Jazz 131-119 during game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game and advance to the western conference finals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers talks to Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz as head coach Tyronn Lue of the LA Clippers looks on as the LA Clippers defeat the Utah Jazz 131-119 during game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game and advance to the western conference finals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers hugs Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz as the LA Clippers defeat the Utah Jazz 131-119 during game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game and advance to the western conference finals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
LA Clippers fans high fan Terance Mann #14 and Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers as the LA Clippers defeat the Utah Jazz 131-119 during game six of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game and advance to the western conference finals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Fans arrive for the first full capacity game since the start of the pandemic for Game Six of the Western Conference second-round playoff series between the Utah Jazz and the Clippers on Friday at Staples Center. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Blue T-shirts cover the stadium seats as the Clippers will have their first full capacity game since the start of the pandemic for Game 6 of the Western Conference second-round playoff series against Utah Jazz at Staples Center on June 18, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES — Next. Mann. Up.
Clippers fans will never hear that old cliche again without thinking of Terance Mann, the second-year wing who proved a swaggering, stellar substitute for five-time All-Star Kawhi Leonard when it mattered so very much Friday night.
The 24-year-old from Lowell, Massachusetts, picked a fabulous time – Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals – to have the game of his life (so far), scoring a career-high 39 points as he led the Clippers to their best playoff result in franchise history (so far).
Mann’s 3-pointer from the corner with 5:33 left capped his scoring tally and pushed the Clippers’ lead to 10 points and got the man of the hour skipping around the court, or above it, perhaps, on Cloud 9.
Riding high alongside him: 17,105 enthralled fans – the first time in 15 months the Clippers had played a game at Staples Center in front of a full house – who can say they were in the arena for The Terance Mann Game – a 131-119 victory over the top-seeded Utah Jazz to close out the best-of-seven series.
The victory – the Clippers’ fourth in a row – secured a place in the conference finals for the first time in the franchise’s 51 years of existence. To add to that, the Clippers now are the first team to rally from 2-0 series deficits twice in the same postseason.
“Man, it feels great to close out here,” Mann said moments after the Clippers improved to 1-8 all-time in closeout opportunities with a Western Conference finals berth on the line.
“They wrote us off when Kawhi (Leonard) went down. Everybody had to step up, we knew we had to step up in his loss. We extend our prayers to him, and hopefully, he gets healthy. We got to continue on. He carried us up until this point, I look forward to the challenge to carry us even further.”
Further begins Sunday at 12:30 p.m. PT in Phoenix, where the fourth-seeded Clippers will open the best-of-seven series against the second-seeded Suns.
“Just the whole night was special,” said Paul George, who finished with 28 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. “To be able to be in this arena and to feel that playoff atmosphere in front of my hometown, my friends, my family. So many important people in my life are in this building, and so it was just a special night, a special night.
“You felt it, the cheers, the excitement. You felt the monkey off of the Clippers’ back in terms of getting out of the second round.”
This resilient version of the Clippers had to dig out of a 25-point third-quarter deficit to do it, a rally that amounted to the largest comeback in a series-clinching win in the past 25 seasons, per ESPN Stats & Info. No other team had rallied from 20-plus down to close out a series in that span.
That it happened against Utah was even more extraordinary, considering that coming into Friday, the Jazz were 232-1 over the past 25 seasons when leading by 25 or more points.
Credit that uproarious comeback to Mann’s stunningly determined attack after halftime, when he scored 25 of his points – matching what had been his career-high in that half alone. He finished 15 for 21 from the field and 7 for 10 from 3-point range, becoming the third player in franchise history to make as many as seven 3s in a playoff game and the first to score 20 points in a quarter (the third).
His output complemented George’s output, as well as Reggie Jackson’s 27 points and 10 assists, Nicolas Batum’s 16 points and seven rebounds and Patrick Beverley’s 12 points and three steals.
The Clippers played a second game without Leonard, out with a right knee sprain. Meanwhile, the Jazz raced up and down the floor with three hobbled All-Stars: Donovan Mitchell (39 points, nine rebounds, nine assists) was clearly laboring with a lingering ankle injury, Mike Conley (five points) was just back after missing the past five games with a hamstring strain and Rudy Gobert (12 points, 10 rebounds) was limping after a hard first-quarter foul.
So, the star to begin the night? The Sixth Man of the Year.
Jordan Clarkson caught fire in the second quarter, single-handedly outscoring his former coach’s team, 21-19.
After he was fouled – yes, even upon the officials’ video review – on a 3-point attempt, Clarkson made all three free throws he was awarded, and his next six shots. The former Laker’s solo scoring spree, in fewer than 13 minutes, turned the Jazz’s slim 43-40 advantage into a 60-42 lead. After Utah outscored the Clippers 39-19 in the second quarter, it took a 72-50 lead into halftime.
But the hero in the end? With all due respect to New York’s Julius Randle, who won this season’s Most Improved designation, perhaps the NBA’s actual most improved player.
World, meet T-Mann.
He was a four-year contributor at Florida State, the 48th pick overall in the 2019 draft, the young man earning an NBA pittance of $1,782,621 this season.
After Game 2 of this series, he was “out of the rotation,” Coach Tyronn Lue said, and after a modest rookie season experimenting with the point guard position under Doc Rivers last season, some fans questioned whether he actually had an NBA future.
His mother, Daynia La-Force, played for the Georgetown Hoyas and is an assistant coach for the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream. Her advice to him after good games: “Don’t get fat and lazy.”
On Friday, Mann was spry and aggressive and unrelenting, and he carried the Clippers during a second half when they outscored Utah 81-47 and took a significant step forward in the pursuit for their first NBA championship.
Mitchell opened the second half with a 33-foot, step-back 3-pointer to give the Jazz a 75-50 lead 24 seconds into the third quarter. It was 88-67 with 6:37 remaining when the Clippers fought their way back by going on a 21-2 run to get within a basket with 1:42 remaining with 10 points from Mann and Jackson scoring nine.
“When Mitchell hit that 3-pointer, I was thinking that we didn’t want to go home,” Mann said. “I had a lot to do. They left me open and I hit my shots. The offense is going to take care of itself if you are confident in your game.”
The Clippers were 30 of 42 from the field (71.4%) after halftime, including a 14-for-19 mark from beyond the arc, and Mann seemed to be at the center of so much of it.
“You saw a full, complete game from a second-year player,” George said. “I mean, you saw him stretch the floor. You saw him defensively. You saw him rebound. You saw him muscle his way to the basket.
“You just saw so many flashes of so many different things. He did it in the most crucial part of the game, I think that’s what’s most impressive. Honestly, he single-handedly willed us back through that stretch where he just – 3 after 3 to downhill attacks to defending.
