Clippers' Shocking Last-Minute Playoff Clinch: You Won't Believe How They Did It!

OCEANSIDE -- In a season filled with ups and downs, the San Diego Clippers wrapped up their regular season with a 118-102 loss to the Stockton Kings. However, despite the defeat, the Clippers achieved a significant milestone: they clinched a spot in the NBA G League playoffs. This marks the franchise’s first postseason appearance since the 2021-22 season, a notable achievement in what is their inaugural year under the San Diego name.

“It’s nice to be in it,” said head coach Paul Hewitt. “We got a little help today, obviously, but our guys gave themselves a chance.” He emphasized that the crucial victory the day before set them up for this opportunity, noting, “That’s all you can ask for at this time of year.”

The game against the Kings reflected much of the Clippers’ campaign—competitive but ultimately falling short when it mattered most. “These guys hung with it,” Hewitt remarked, praising his team's resilience, especially from the core group that remained committed throughout the season despite continuous roster turnover. “Their level of commitment is something I certainly appreciate,” he added. “It’s the easiest thing in the world when there’s turnover to just go out there and play for yourself, but for the most part our guys didn’t do that.”

Key players such as Jahmyl Telfort, TyTy Washington Jr., and Zach Freemantle played pivotal roles in anchoring the team. Telfort expressed gratitude for his teammates, stating, “Just having those guys was really helpful the whole season. I’ve known Zach for a couple of years, and me and TyTy got close too. Playing with them is a blessing for sure.”

Looking forward to the playoffs, Telfort emphasized the team’s focus on “just win,” asserting the importance of doing everything possible to secure victories. “Making the playoffs was a goal of ours, and we did. Now it’s just taking it one game at a time,” he affirmed.

Hewitt echoed this straightforward mentality regarding the postseason. “I don’t think there’s much to be said,” he said. “It’s a playoff game… everybody’s 0-0 now.” The Clippers will face a challenging matchup against the top-seeded South Bay Lakers in the opening round next week. As the lower seed, they will travel to El Segundo to take on the Lakers on Tuesday, March 31, with tip-off scheduled for 7 PM at the UCLA Health Training Center.

This moment not only holds significance for the players but also for the organization and the San Diego community. Having just relocated and completed their second season at Frontwave Arena, the Clippers are eager to build a strong connection with local fans. “We absolutely appreciate the people that come out,” Hewitt stated. “The opportunity to play in this building, we couldn’t ask for more. I hope they enjoy this because we appreciate them.”

As the Clippers gear up for the playoffs, the narrative of their season shifts from resilience and commitment to the determination to make a mark in the postseason. Despite the challenges faced, this team has proven that they are ready to embrace the opportunity ahead.