The LA Clippers may have dropped both of the first two contests in the Western Conference Semifinals vs. the Utah Jazz, but Reggie Jackson prevented Game 2 from being a whole lot worse.
The Clippers entered the second half down by 13 points. They left the third quarter only down by six. What changed?
Reggie Jackson’s energy and scoring kept the LA Clippers in Game 2.
Reggie Jackson’s presence was felt. At times in the third quarter, the Clippers would go on a nice run, only to have the likes of Jordan Clarkson or Joe Ingles to nail a three in their face. The one Clipper that continued to plug along and keep responding seemed to be Reggie Jackson.
Reggie Jackson is heating up! 🔥
— NBA (@NBA) June 11, 2021
He's 4-4 in the 3Q.. his personal 9-0 run has cut it to 12 on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/SA6RcsTmRv
He scored 16 of the Clippers’ 33 points in the quarter. Again, there were times when it felt like Jackson was the only Clipper awake in the third quarter.
It wasn’t even just the third quarter though. In the fourth, Reggie hit back-to-back threes to take a 101-99 Clippers lead, and the Clippers didn’t lead very much in the contest. He was explosive.
Reggie Jackson is Mr June
— KENNY BEECHAM (@KOT4Q) June 11, 2021
He very well may be Mr. June. This isn’t the first time in these playoffs that the Clippers have desperately needed a spark, and Jackson has come to the rescue.
I can’t believe I’m at a point in a playoff game in which I think it’s a mistake every time Reggie Jackson doesn’t take the shot
— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) June 11, 2021
All in all, he put up 29 points on 11 of 19 shooting. He drilled 4 out of 8 threes, and hit all thee of his free throws. His 29 points were a team-high.
https://twitter.com/VigilateDeus/status/1403201795279650816
The Clippers ended up dropping the game because the Jazz just seemed to find every way possible to respond.
The Clips did, however, find out just how fearless Reggie Jackson is, and just how much fight he has in him.