Entering Game 3, virtually all hope was lost for Los Angeles Clippers. Facing an 0-2 hole with the series headed back to Dallas, it was a huge, must-win game for the franchise that had enormous implications.
The Clippers responded in a big way, thanks to huge performances from their stars.
Kawhi and Luka duel as the @LAClippers (1-2) take Game 3 on the road! #NBAPlayoffs
Leonard: 36 PTS, 13-17 FGM
Doncic: 44 PTS, 9 REB, 9 AST
Game 4: Sunday at 9:30pm/et on TNT pic.twitter.com/dPOgRZmEUk
— NBA (@NBA) May 29, 2021
The series is now at 2-1 in Dallas’ favor, and while many still doubt LA’s ability to bounce back, Serge Ibaka is confident that his squad will pull through in the end.
Just watch, we gonna win this Game #clippersnation
— Serge Ibaka (@sergeibaka) May 29, 2021
Do you believe me now? And will you believe now I’m telling you we will also win the series? https://t.co/T9KRqZTSUb
— Serge Ibaka (@sergeibaka) May 29, 2021
Well, you should have!! https://t.co/hH8qMHgZjp
— Serge Ibaka (@sergeibaka) May 29, 2021
It was a pretty mixed reaction from the fans…
Clippers fans when they beat an injured Luka to avoid being swept pic.twitter.com/yqnH7Xfxa6
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) May 29, 2021
Serge Ibaka knows something we don’t.
He guaranteed the Clippers would win this game, and said he’s been tweeting from his “voodoo room.”
He also guaranteed the Clippers will win the series. pic.twitter.com/7QA4S2sP4m
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) May 29, 2021
Funny how, when Doncic realized they were about to lose, he started grimacing and favoring his left shoulder. Guess he's got some LeBron in him. He's an even worse free-throw shooter than the King. Clippers hunted him and cooked him on D. You can have Luka. Give me Kawhi.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 29, 2021
Clippers fans in Games 1 & 2 vs. Game 3 pic.twitter.com/Or0aSRf1ws
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) May 29, 2021
Well there will be no Clippers slander tonight. And there shouldn't be. Once Marcus Morris starts zipping you up it's time to go back to the drawing board.
— ✨🦫America Is Musty🦫✨ (@DragonflyJonez) May 29, 2021
clippers were down 0-2, on the road, and started down 19 again. that’s real gut check shit right there. didnt let go of the rope.
— Jamal Cristopher (@JamCristopher) May 29, 2021
Porzingis has delivered the most clutch Clippers performance in their playoff history
— Daman Rangoola (@damanr) May 29, 2021
The Clippers have been the subject of hate and scrutiny for the past two seasons, and it was earned at first. After all the talking they did, to lose in the Semi-Finals after blowing a 3-1 lead was welcoming the hate, and it was only by winning that they would silence the crowd.
This time, the backlash will be worse if they get knocked out in round one. But after being knocked on their feet early in the first quarter, the team stayed composed and scraped out a huge victory.
Credit to Serge for believing, and we will see soon enough if he gets rewarded for it in the end.
