Los Angeles Clippers: 3 takeaways from resilient Game 5 vs. Warriors

3. Patrick Beverley’s impact has been invaluable

Patrick Beverley and Kevin Durant have been jawing all series long, and though the latter finished with an absurd 45-6-6 stat line and a new playoff career high Wednesday night, it was the former who had the last laugh.

Aside from supplying the Clippers with 17 points and a game-high 14 boards despite being the smallest guy out there, Bev set the tone for Game 5 early, notching 11 points, six rebounds and three triples in the first quarter alone.

He shot 5-for-11 from 3 on the night. He reminded the crowd of his All-Defensive First Team pedigree. He was out there drawing charges with one shoe on, for God’s sake.

Gallo and the Clippers’ two Sixth Men of the Year candidates get a ton of credit for pulling the load in the scoring column, while the youngsters like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Landry Shamet and Ivica Zubac receive plenty of admiration for all the flashes they’re showing and their bright futures.

Not nearly enough praise is being heaped on Beverley, however — not just for his defensive tenacity and competitive fire, his 39.7 percent 3-point shooting this season, or even his positive influence on Gilgeous-Alexander as the Clippers’ point guard of the future.

No, Patrick Beverley has been intrinsic to Los Angeles’ surprising success this year because he’s the underlying soul of the team. From not backing down against Kevin-Freaking-Durant to that lockdown defense to mentoring the young guards on the roster, Bev is contributing both to the team’s on-court success and establishing a winning culture for the future. That was never more apparent than in Game 5.