Rivers: Clippers 'definitely lost our discipline' in late collapse vs. Nuggets
With their first-ever Western Conference finals appearance in sight, the Los Angeles Clippers suffered another late-game collapse and couldn't close the deal Friday in Game 5 against the Denver Nuggets.
After the Clippers led by as many as 16 points earlier in the contest, the Nuggets battled back to end the game on a 35-14 run en route to a stunning 111-105 win.
"We definitely lost our discipline," Clippers head coach Doc Rivers said postgame, according to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. "There is no doubt about that. That would be the lesson."
Blowing comfortable leads late in games is nothing new for this Clippers squad. Friday's defeat marked the sixth time this season Los Angeles lost a game in which it led by 15 points or more, according to Youngmisuk.
"We gave them a little bit of life, and they played desperation ball," said Clippers star Paul George. "They didn't have a choice. They played desperation ball. Credit them for not wanting to go home. They played great down the stretch."
Los Angeles has lost six straight games in which it could've clinched a spot in the conference finals, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
The Nuggets now trail the Clippers 3-2 in their second-round series. Game 6 is set for Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.