Clippers show grit, depth in overtime loss to Celtics

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - You can’t really say anything bad about this Clipper team this year. Sure, they have flaws, but doesn’t every team? What is certain is that on every given night, they will dig in defensively, make games tougher than they should be (in a good way), and not care who is in front of them. 

The Celtics edged out the Clippers in overtime on Wednesday, 117-113, in an absolute thriller of a game, and one that could go down as the game of the year. 

Without James Harden, Norm Powell, Ivica Zubac, Kawhi Leonard, Kris Dunn and Nico Batum, the Clippers forced an extra quarter on a Celtics team that still had Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White. 

Even without essentially the entire starting 5 for the Clippers, they still had 3 players score over 20 points. 

The story of the game was Derrick Jones Jr., who had a career-high 29 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals in what was easily his best game as a Clipper. Jones Jr. stole the ball off of a double team at the end of the 4th quarter and went the length of the court to tie the game and send it to overtime as well. 

His energy, ferociousness, and determination on what looks like every single possession has been a godsend for this Clipper team. 

Next to him was Kevin Porter Jr., who started at point guard in place of James Harden and essentially matched the output that Harden gives on a nightly basis. 

Porter Jr. had 26 of his own, on 12-21 from the field to go along with 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals. It was easily the best game of the season from him as well, and goes to show what his role can be when given expanded duties. 

Amir Coffey poured in 24 of his own, continuing his best season of his career as well, getting out in transition and guarding multiple positions.

The Celtics were up by 6 with one minute left to go in the 4th quarter, and the Clippers never gave up. A 3-point play by Amir Coffey and some sensational defense gave them a chance. 

Jaden Springer came in and flipped the energy of the game for the Celtics on the defensive end, pressuring the Clippers into turnovers (23 in total) and that is when Boston made their run. 

But every Clipper fan should hold their head high. The opposing players talked up the Intuit Dome with high praise postgame, and the undermanned Clippers gave fans in attendance an amazing show, regardless of the loss. 

Now, the Clippers will face the Washington Wizards on Thursday as the second night of a back-to-back. Tipoff is set for 7:30 PM PST.