Los Angeles Clippers star forward Paul George, who just inked a lucrative contract extension, is taking full responsibility for the Clippers 124-73 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday, one that saw the Mavs build a record 77-27 halftime lead over the Clippers.
Dallas led by 57 points at one point during the game, and they held a lead of at least 40 points for the final half hour of the game.
“I take full responsibility” George said following the game, according to ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk. “You know, it’s a tough game coming [after] Christmas. I enjoyed my Christmas Day [celebration] yesterday. Today just popped up on me a little too fast. I’ll take full ownership for that, coming out and being prepared to play today. Be a different situation come next game, and we will be ready.”
“I hope everyone enjoyed the Christmas Day yesterday and that was the reason for a sluggish day today,” George said.
Mavericks star guard Luka Doncic says that the team showed what they are capable of in the impressive victory over one of the Western Conference powerhouses.
“We showed who we are,” Doncic said. “People judged us off the first two games of the season. It’s a long season, but we’ve got to keep going like that. We’ve got to play defense. That’s our specialty from now on.”
The Clippers played without Kawhi Leonard who missed the game due to a mouth laceration, as well as Marcus Morris who was out with a knee injury.
“Just an exception,” Clippers head coach Ty Lue said. “It doesn’t take away from what we’ve been doing and what we’ve been working on and how we’re trying to get better each night.
“[There] wasn’t a lot of fight, a lot of pop tonight, and we know we’ll have that come next game.”
