LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Clippers were swept out of the playoffs, ending a season to remember and build on for the much-maligned franchise.
At 40-26, they had their first winning record since 2005-06, also the last time the team made the playoffs. With Chris Paul and Blake Griffin leading the way, the Clippers were exciting to watch. Fans came out in droves, leading to a string of sellouts at Staples Center dating to February 2011, and making the team a popular draw away from home.
Against Memphis in the first round, the Clippers showed no quit and won Game 7 on the road to advance to the second round. San Antonio’s experience and depth proved too much to overcome, although the Clippers went down fighting when they might have previously folded with Paul, Griffin and Caron Butler limited by injuries.
