Image Source: X
[Saba Sports News] The Los Angeles Clippers were eliminated from the playoffs Saturday after a 120-101 loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 7 of their first-round series—a result team president Lawrence Frank called “embarrassing.”
Speaking to the media on Monday, Frank didn’t hold back as he addressed the team’s disappointing exit.
“What happened in Game 7 was extremely embarrassing—and also uncharacteristic,” he said, via Clippers reporter Joey Linn. “We’re disappointed with our playoff exit. Our players are embarrassed about Game 7. They’re really upset we lost this series.”
Both the Clippers and Nuggets finished the regular season with identical 50-32 records, and the series was tightly contested until Game 7, when Denver ran away with a 19-point victory. That lopsided ending has left a bitter taste for the Clippers organization.
Looking ahead, Frank confirmed that the team plans to retain core stars Kawhi Leonard and James Harden for next season.
“We feel really good about our core. And we expect to be really good again next season,” he added.
While the Clippers have notched back-to-back 50-win seasons, they’ve failed to advance beyond the first round in three straight years. To meet owner Steve Ballmer’s championship expectations, the franchise knows it must find a way to finally deliver in the postseason.