Reggie Jackson thanked Clippers for saving his career after Game 6 loss (Video)
Soon-to-be free agent Reggie Jackson expressed the emotion after a memorable run by the Los Angeles Clippers this season.
They came up short, but you have to give the Clippers credit for their efforts throughout their playoff run. Los Angeles was eliminated on Wednesday after falling 130-103 to the Suns in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals.
Despite missing superstar Kawhi Leonard for the entire series, and center Ivica Zubac for the final two games, the Clippers remained competitive and bowed out to a great Phoenix team. Among the many who stepped up for Los Angeles during their playoff run was guard Reggie Jackson.
The 31-year-old was a catalyst who brought energy and emotion with his play on the court. Off the court following their Game 6 loss, Jackson expressed his emotion and how much the team means to him.
"First thing I told those guys was 'thank you for saving me.'"
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 1, 2021
Reggie Jackson was tearful talking about how much the Clippers and Paul George have meant to him and his career. pic.twitter.com/7YOY1QDhpy
After being drafted by the Thunder in 2011, Jackson was traded to the Pistons during the 2014-15 season and later dealt to the Clippers in the middle of last season. He started 19 games for Los Angeles in this postseason and averaged 17.8 points per game.
Reggie Jackson stepped up when the Clippers needed him most
Coming back from an 0-2 deficit isn’t easy, yet that’s exactly what Jackson and the Clippers did not once, but twice in the first two rounds. They nearly pushed the Western Conference Finals to a Game 7 after falling in an 0-2 hole once again. Had it not been for the out-of-bounds alley oop in Game 2 against the Suns, perhaps this series could’ve gone a different way.
Regardless, that doesn’t take away from what the Clippers have been able to accomplish on this run. It’s a bond their personnel will have forever, and you can feel it just from hearing the emotional response from Jackson.
Among the team’s impending free agents is Jackson who, no doubt, will receive his considerable pay for what he’s shown. Leonard also has a player option should he choose to test the market.
Whether or not Leonard returns to the Clippers next season, this is an excellent foundation to build on. If a majority of this group stays in tack, including Jackson, they’ll use this experience as fuel to their fire going forward.