After all the Clippers did this season, earning the No. 3 seed in the playoffs and beating the defending champion Spurs in seven games, they ended their season in the same frustrating way that has plagued them in recent years - another loss in the second round of the playoffs.
This one, however, will take some time and some doing to get over.
The Clippers had the Rockets on the ropes with a 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference semifinals. And somehow, some way, the Clippers lost three closeout games and ended their season Sunday at the Toyota Center.
The Rockets and beat the Clippers 113-100 in Game 7. Houston moves on to the Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors. The Clippers never had a lead in Game 7.
The Clippers, who were on the verge of history and one win away from advancing to the conference finals for the first time in franchise history, were plagued by missed shots and turnovers and mistakes at the end of the series. They lost Game 5 to Houston on the road and the Clippers never got over their debacle of a loss in Game 6. They had a 19-point lead late in the third quarter at Staples Center and squandered it.
It was a complete collapse to be sure, but the Clippers still had an opportunity with a Game 7. And the Clippers looked like they were still hungover from Game 6.
It prompted this tweet from L.A. Lakers legend Magic Johnson:
It certainly did haunt them in this series. As for lasting effects, time will tell. But this team and franchise is different. Steve Ballmer just experienced his first playoffs as owner. Doc Rivers is in his second year as coach, and he's the president of basketball operations too.
He won a title with the Boston Celtics in 2008, but he's not been able to guide the Clippers past the second round of the playoffs last year - they lost to Oklahoma City in the second round - or this year.
Rivers is now 6-6 as a coach in Game 7s. And It was the second time a Doc Rivers-coached team had a 3-1 series lead in a best-of-seven series and lost it.
Thank you Clipper Nation for an amazing season. pic.twitter.com/W5CfyU624B
— Los Angeles Clippers (@LAClippers) May 17, 2015
The Clippers didn't play with the energy and hustle needed for a Game 7 on the road. They were plagued by 18 turnovers and were just 7 for 28 from 3-point range (25 percent). J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford were a combined 5-for-18 from 3-point range.
Things just weren't going the Clippers way.
Blake Griffin and Chris Paul scored 27 and 26 points, respectively, but the Clippers got down early and although they made some runs but nothing of significance.
Now, change could be in store.
DeAndre Jordan, who had 16 points and 17 rebounds, could be on the move. He's a free agent and will undoubtedly receive a max contract, whether it's to stay in Los Angeles or sign elsewhere.
Upgrades to the bench are needed, but the Clippers would have to do that through free agency.
Chris Paul splits the trapping defenders and finds DeAndre Jordan for the #AssistOfTheNight. http://t.co/Ged2u92tys
— NBA (@NBA) May 17, 2015
The Clippers had three chances to win one game to make the conference finals for the first time in history. And they're faced with an offseason of similar questions and doubts as to why they can't get past the second round of the playoffs.
They're back in the same frustrating place with their season having ended in the second round of the playoffs.
Only this time it will be harder to forget with that Game 6 meltdown at Staples Center.
