MY ACCOUNT
Los Angeles Clippers coach Ty Lue branded his side’s stunning comeback win over the Washington Wizards as “crazy”.
The Clippers roared back from 66-31 down in the second quarter to claim a thrilling 116-115 triumph at Capital One Arena.
In doing so, they became the first team in NBA history to score under 40 points in the first half of a game and follow up by posting 40 or more points in both the third and fourth quarters.
And Lue, who was without injured leading duo Kawhi Leonard (ACL) and Paul George (elbow), was delighted by the Clippers’ astonishing feat.
“It’s crazy,” he said. “Because when I looked at the score in the first half, I thought we were down 19. And I looked again, I said, ‘We’re down 29!’ I said, ‘Oh s***!’ It happened so quick.
“We kept chipping away. I know when it was like 17 going into the fourth, and I think when we got to 10, I was like, okay, we got a real shot.”
Luke Kennard landed a three-point pullup jump shot with 1.9 seconds remaining, tying the game.
He was fouled in the process, earning a free throw, and made no mistake from that opportunity as he landed the game-winning point.
Amir Coffey was one of the players who came in for the second half to help instigate the fightback, adding 29 points, and he echoed his coach’s sentiments regarding the mad nature of the contest.
“Probably the craziest game I’ve ever been a part of,” he said. “January’s been wild.
“You never know when the game is over. Play through the buzzer.
“Like tonight, anything can happen.”
On the losing side, the Wizards’ Bradley Beal was left humiliated.
“I have no words, besides ’embarrassing’,” he said, having put up 23 points.
“I was frustrated when I had to go back in. This should have been a game where the starters get their rest. Plain and simple.”
