LA Clippers mount largest comeback in NBA Playoffs history, take Game 2

Once trailing by as many as 31 points, the LA Clippers fought back and defeated the Golden State Warriors in Game 2, evening the series at 1-1.

All season long, the LA Clippers have been counted out of games far too early. In early February, the Clippers came back from 25 points down against the Detroit Pistons. One week later, they had a repeat performance against the Boston Celtics, coming back from 28 points down in what became the largest comeback in franchise history.

Until Monday night, that is, when the Clippers trailed by 31 points — in a playoff game against the Golden State Warriors, of all times and teams — and won by four.

The comeback became the largest deficit ever overcome in NBA Playoffs history. The Clippers also became the first team in the shot clock era to win a playoff game that they trailed in by more than 25 points, according to the OC Register‘s Mirjam Swanson.

With 7:31 left in the third quarter, Kevin Durant sunk a free throw to extend the Golden State lead out to 31 points. From there, the Clippers outscored the Warriors 72-37 over the remaining 19 and a half minutes, led by Sixth Man frontrunner Lou Williams‘ 26 point over the same span.

Williams finished the night with a game-high 36 points and 11 assists, while Montrezl Harrell tacked on another 25 points and 10 rebounds. The LA bench, which led the league in points per game this season, had 83 of the Clippers’ 135 points. The Warrior bench scored 48 of their 131.

The shot of the game came from rookie guard Landry Shamet, who the Clippers acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers in the Tobias Harris trade. Down 130-131 with just over 16 ticks left on the clock, Shamet got a wide open look from three-point range off a feed from fellow rookie Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, giving the Clippers their first lead since they were up 12-11 early in the first quarter.

After the Warriors called timeout, Stephen Curry fired up a three for the win that ended up in the hands of Harrell. He was fouled, made both free throws, and the Clippers came away victorious.

Of course, as has been true for nearly every Clippers game this season, the team was led by the unsung heroes — namely Patrick Beverley.

Despite giving up nearly a foot of height to Durant, Beverley played near-perfect defense and denied Durant opportunities to shoot almost all game. The forward attempted just eight shots on the night, far off his average of 17.7 per game.

With the win, the LA Clippers will take the series back to Los Angeles tied 1-1 with the defending NBA Champions. On Thursday night, they’ll get a chance to take a 2-1 lead in the series.