Los Angeles Clippers: Lob City playoff runs ranked from least to most heartbreaking

2016-17

In Paul Pierce’s final NBA season, the Clippers (51-31) faced the Gordon Hayward-led Utah Jazz, who sported an identical record.

For the second season in a row, Blake Griffin was ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs. He suffered an injury to his plantar plate in his right big toe in the Game 3 victory over the Utah Jazz. The Clippers ended up losing the series in seven games, despite Paul averaging 25.3 points and 9.9 assists per game. DeAndre Jordan also contributed a playoff career-high with 15.4 points and 14.3 rebounds per game.

With the Clippers once again failing to achieve a deep postseason run, and Blake Griffin dealing with constant injuries, it was a tough for fans who knew changes were going to occur.

The burden Paul carried was also upsetting in that he competed so hard, yet still would be haunted for his lack of conference finals appearances. His frustration boiled over in an interview when he was asked a dumb question during a press conference.

The awkward encounter occurs Paul at the 2:30 mark. This loss marked the third time in six years they lost in the first round to a lower seed.