I think the saying goes, “down but not out.”
After dropping as many as 35 points, the Clippers embodied that saying Tuesday by pulling off an amazing comeback win over the Wizards.
With a minute and 20 seconds left in the first half, two free throws by Bradley Beal gave the Wizards a 66-31 lead, giving the team a 99.7 percent chance of victory. From then on, the Clippers outscored the Wizards 85-49 to escape Capital One Arena with a one-point win in regulation.
The game’s final sequence is arguably as wild as the comeback itself, as a logo-length 3-pointer from Luke Kennard cut the deficit to three points with 8.2 seconds remaining.
🎥🎥🎥 pic.twitter.com/KWDMs8yTAj
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) January 26, 2023
After the Wizards committed a five-second violation, the Clippers got the ball back and set up a 4-point play by Kennard, prompting the Clippers’ broadcast team, and veteran forward Nicolas Batum, to express disbelief.
Luke Kennard for the 3-point contest? 👀
He’s feeling it tonight #ClipperNationcame back with a dubbing. pic.twitter.com/OdiSG8tSy2
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) January 26, 2023
With the victory, the Clippers completed their third comeback of 24 or more points this season. It also marked the biggest comeback in franchise history and the second-biggest comeback in NBA history.
Find out more about the biggest rallies in the NBA’s 75-year history below.
What are the biggest comebacks in NBA history?
Date | return by | Leader | Deficit | Final score |
November 27, 1996 | Jazz | nuggets | 36 | Jazz 107, Nuggets 103 |
January 25, 2023 | Pair of scissors | wizards | 35 | Clippers 116, Wizards 115 |
December 21, 2009 | Kings | Bulls | 35 | Kings 102, Bulls 98 |
April 30, 2023 | celts | Spurs | 32 | Celtics 143, Spurs 140 (OT) |
November 28, 1975 | Warriors | Dollars | 31 | Warriors 106, Dollars 105 |