NBA Analyst Skip Bayless goes off on Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers for butchering the final play of Game 1 against the Jazz
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The Los Angeles Clippers gave us glimpses of their former selves in the second half of Game 1 tonight. The Clippers had a solid, dominant performance in the first half of the game. However, they were outscored 65-49 in the second half, and basically outplayed on every aspect.
Donovan Mitchell led the comeback, scoring 32 of his 45 points in the second half. Mitchell came out after the half and went on a personal 10-2 run against the Clippers to start the 3rd quarter. Rudy Gobert scored 10 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. The DPOY candidate also had 2 blocks, including the block to seal the game.
RUDY GOBERT GAME WINNING BLOCK pic.twitter.com/qeF7HMMKcq
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) June 9, 2021
As for the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard led the scoring with 23 points and 7 rebounds. Paul George recorded 20 points and 10 rebounds of his own.
Skip Bayless accuses Kawhi Leonard of not rising to the occasion
Despite blowing a 13 point lead, the Clippers had a chance to force OT and try to win the game. The Clippers were down 112-109 when they inbounded the ball with around 8 seconds to play. PG had the ball, which he passed to Kawhi, who thought about a shot and passed the ball to Marcus Morris Sr. Morris tried to shake off Gobert with a pump fake, but Gobert came to block the shot.
Skip Bayless was not pleased. As someone who has been rooting for the Clippers, this final play was painful to watch. The Clippers had a timeout, which they could have used. This game gave the analyst flashbacks of Game 5 against the Mavericks. The Clippers had a good chance to tie then as well, but they blew it there as well.
LORD HAVE MERCY: Game 5 vs Dallas revisited. Clippers somehow wound up with a shot to tie AND NOBODY WANTED TO TAKE IT. NOBODY COULD CREATE A SHOT. COME ON, KAWHI, JUST TAKE THE BALL AND GO. THIS WAS YOUR MOMENT. YOU DEFERED. CANNOT DEFER. YOUR TEAM AND TIME.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) June 9, 2021
Apart from being furious at Kawhi Leonard, Skip was overall mad at the Clippers as a whole.
I don’t mind that the Clippers didn’t use their last time to set up a play. Don’t give Utah time to set its halfcourt defense. With Rondo on the floor, I thought he’d get Kawhi or PG or MMorris a decent three. Nope. Helter skelter disaster. NOBODY got up a shot before the buzzer.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) June 9, 2021
The Clippers, who were coming fresh off a Game 7 win over the Mavericks, now have their work cut out for them again. They go up against the Jazz again on Thursday for Game 2.
