Paul George injures leg in Clippers' 101-100 loss to Thunder

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Paul George went down hard in the fourthquarter. He may have taken the Los Angeles Clippers’ championshiphopes with him.

George got hurt in Tuesday night’s 101-100 loss to ShaiGilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The star guard hit the court after getting fouled by LuguentzDort with 4:38 remaining. He lay on his back for several minutesbefore being helped to his feet. Supported by staff on either side,George headed to the locker room, appearing unable to put anyweight on his right leg.

“I went up for the rebound, kind of hit his leg,” Dort said. “Ididn’t do it on purpose, definitely an accident.”

There was no immediate update on George after the game. Clipperscoach Tyronn Lue said he was still being evaluated. George laterleft the arena on the back of a cart with his right legextended.

George’s running mate, Kawhi Leonard, said he hadn’t spoken toGeorge afterward.

“I didn’t see the play,” Leonard. “I just thought he got hit inthe face at the time.”

George had 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists.Potentially losing him so close to the end of the regular seasoncould put the Clippers’ postseason aspirations in jeopardy.

“Next man up,” Leonard said about the possibility of playingwithout George. “We got a group of guys that still want to win,like to play basketball, so we’ll see what happens.”

Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points against his former team.Jalen Williams added 20 points for the Thunder.

George had a highlight-reel dunk in the third, rotating 360degrees before slamming the ball in the hoop as the crowdcheered.

Leonard and George stepped up in the second half after shootinga combined 5 of 16 in the first half, but it wasn’t enough. Leonardfinished with 21 points.

“I just didn’t think we played right the whole nightoffensively,” Lue said. “We played too slow and didn’t share theball. When we don’t play a good brand of basketball this is theresults you get.”

The game was tied 91-all when George went down. Leonard scoredbefore the Thunder ran off six points in a row to take a 97-93lead.

Nicolas Batum hit a jumper to pull the Clippers to 101-100. TheClippers lost a coach’s challenge of an out-of-bounds call with 30seconds left. The Thunder inbounded, but missed a shot and Leonardgrabbed the rebound.

Leonard dribbled down the final seconds when the Clippers didn’thave any timeouts left. He was hounded by Thunder defenders anddidn’t get a shot off.

“I’ll take ownership of it,” Leonard said. “Definitely shouldhave gotten a shot off.”

The teams kept it close throughout the third. Gilgeous-Alexanderscored the Thunder’s final 10 points and they trailed 81-80 goinginto the final period.

The Clippers blew a 14-point lead to start the game. They openedon an 18-4 run, but the Thunder tied it minutes later.

TIP-INS

Thunder: Improved to 14-21 on the road against the West. ... Wonfive of six overall.

Clippers: Leonard received a technical and Terance Mann got hitwith two technicals at 4:24 of the second period. Mann was ejected.Leonard said he was told he got whistled for clapping in thereferee’s face. “I didn’t believe it,” he said.

UP NEXT

The teams play again Thursday night in Los Angeles.