Watch: Paul George hits ridiculous near-full court shot at the buzzer, shot doesn't count as game goes to overtime against Denver Nuggets
The LA Clippers vs Denver Nuggets game saw a wild ending that sent the game into overtime and tied it 120-120. Paul George nearly won the game for the Clippers after hitting two clutch free throws to tie the contest. He followed that up with a near full-court shot that went in. However, George released the ball after the buzzer, and the basket didn't count.
Here's a clip of George's missed shot (via Ahn Fire Digital):
Paul George nearly wins it from half court https://t.co/bmeux3aPPG
George and the Clippers trailed by 18 points at one stage. However, they kept their composure, giving the Nuggets a run for their money. The Clippers took a 32-23 advantage in the fourth period, which helped them inch closer to the Nuggets' score and eventually take a one-point lead with four minutes left.
The Nuggets regained the lead (120-118) after Michael Porter Jr.'s 3-pointer with 27 seconds left before George converted two free throws with 23 seconds left. Bruce Brown missed a 3-pointer on the last possession of the regulation period.
The LA Clippers ran out of steam in overtime, losing the tie 134-124. Kawhi Leonard was their best player. He 33 points on 63.2% shooting. Meanwhile, George finished with 23 points on 13 field goal attempts. He was clinical from the free-throw line, converting 11-of-11 attempts.
Denver Nuggets All-Star center Nikola Jokic was the MVP of the game as he bagged 40 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists, registering his 99th career-triple-double.
The Clippers have now dropped to a 33-30 record, good for the fifth spot in the Western Conference. LA have now suffered four losses in their last six games. They can't afford to slip further in the standings, with the conference still wide open in the playoffs race.
The LA Clippers are only a game clear of the seventh-ranked Golden State Warriors and two games ahead of the 10th-placed New Orleans Pelicans. Nevertheless, with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George looking healthy and in form, the Clippers are expected to finish as a top-six team in the West this season.
Paul George pulls off a Joel Embiid as LA Clippers-Denver Nuggets game goes into overtime
Paul George pulled off a Joel Embiid after he made a near full-court shot against the Denver Nuggets. However, the basket didn't count. During the Philadelphia 76ers' 110-107 loss against the Boston Celtics on Saturday, Embiid found himself in a similar situation when he made a near full-court shot after the clock had already run out. Here's a clip of the play:
WHAT AN ENDING IN PHILLY 😱
TATUM HITS FROM 3. EMBIID'S SHOT FROM 3/4 COURT IS AFTER THE BUZZER
CELTICS WIN https://t.co/TKrrTYHQzI
It was a heartbreaking situation for both players. George's shot could've won the game for his team. while Embiid would've offered the 76ers a shot at saving the game by sending it onto overtime.