Paul George Blames Himself for Embarrassing Loss to Mavericks, Calls it “Not That Big of a Deal”

The Los Angeles Clippers suited up against the Dallas Mavericks without Kawhi Leonard and walked away with one of the most embarrassing losses in NBA history. The final score was 124-73.

Paul George blamed himself solely for the team’s performance Dec. 27.

George finished with 15 points on 4-for-13 shooting alongside four assists and two rebounds. He led the team in scoring despite sitting out for the entire second half.

Meanwhile, for the Mavericks, third-year phenom Luka Doncic flirted with a triple-double with 24 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in just 25 minutes. Josh Richardson chipped in 21 points while Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 18.

The Clippers trailed 77-27 at halftime, making it the largest halftime deficit in NBA history since the shot-clock era, which began in 1954.

“It’s not that big of a deal,” George said to the media after the game. “Yes, we got out butts kicked today, but it’s just one game. It was a tough game, coming from Christmas. I enjoyed my Christmas Day yesterday, today just popped up on me a little too fast. I take full responsibility. It’ll be a different situation next game. We will be ready.”

The Dallas Mavericks sought revenge against the Clippers, who eliminated them in the first round of the playoffs in six games. Dallas tore into Los Angeles without the help of the team’s second star, Kristaps Porzingis. Porzingis is currently still weeks away from returning to the court as he tends to a knee injury.

The Mavericks fought the Clippers in its playoff bought without the services of Porzingis for three of the six games as well.

The Clippers look to rebound from the horrendous loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves Dec. 29.