UNDATED (AP) — They were the Buffalo Braves and San Diego Clippers before becoming the Los Angeles Clippers. Whatever you called them, they never advanced to the NBA’s conference finals in their 51-year history until Friday.
The Clippers have earned a Western Conference finals meeting with the Suns by ousting the Jazz, 131-119 in Game 6. Terance Mann scored a career-high 39 points, Paul George scored 28 and Reggie Jackson added 27.
The Clippers trailed by 25 points early in the third quarter before rallying back. It is the third time in franchise history the Clippers have trailed by at least 22 points in a postseason game and come back to win.
Mann helped fuel the rally with 20 points in the third quarter.
Donovan Mitchell delivered 39 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in a losing effort. Jordan Clarkson had 21 points for the Jazz, who led the series 2-0 before dropping the last four.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers have forced a Game 7 in the Eastern Conference semifinal series with the Hawks.
Seth Curry hit six 3-pointers and scored 24 points as the top-seeded Sixers downed Atlanta, 104-99 to avoid elimination.
Tobias Harris also had 24 points, including four free throws in the final 13 seconds to protect the lead. Joel Embiid added 22 points and 13 rebounds for the 76ers, who will host Game 7 on Sunday.
The Hawks led by 12 points in the first period and never trailed until the Sixers opened the second half on a 12-0 run.
Hawks guard Trae Young scored a game-high 34 points, including a 3-pointer that pulled Atlanta with 94-93.
