The Clippers dreamed of a parade in June, their pair of All-Stars leading the franchise to a place it had never been.
They are now one loss from a first-round exit in April, pulled closer to the brink Saturday in part through an all-too-familiar scene: Kawhi Leonard and Paul George injured and watching in street clothes.
The Clippers have not lost their resolve, players and coach Tyronn Lue echoed. But after this 112-100 defeat at Crypto.com Arena, they have lost three consecutive games to trail 3-1 in this best-of-seven series.