There was so much excitement last season when the Clippers made the playoffs. However, this year there was no cause for celebration as the Clippers did not make a second straight postseason appearance.
The Clippers were eliminated from playoff contention after the Golden State Warriors defeated the Portland Trail Blazers to clinch the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference. The Warriors won before the Clippers lost 86-83 to the New Orleans Hornets.
Clippers star Elton Brand said he didn’t want the season to end for the Clippers and when it did, it really hurt him.
This elimination was made worse as the Clippers were considered serious contenders for the Pacific Division title and for making back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since the 1992–93 season.
Guard Cuttino Mobley said he didn’t feel too good about his team not making the playoffs and hoped the feeling would stick with him for a long time.
In early April 2007, the Clippers lost three games in a row and knew they would have to win the last five games if they were to make the playoffs.
The Clippers came from behind from a 10-point deficit to beat the Lakers and followed it up with a decisive win over Portland in their fourth game in five nights. But when it came to the Sacramento Kings, they couldn’t pull off a win and it was this loss that got them in.
Brand was upset with his team’s effort and criticized some teammates after the game. He said the team didn’t come out with the energy to win the game and believes the Clippers have realized how hard they would have to play each game.
The Kings are the worst team in the Pacific Division and the Clippers trailed by 23 points in the first half against them and by 24 early in the third quarter before ultimately losing the game 105-100.
The Clippers finished the season with a 40-42 record after they forced Phoenix to a Game 7 in the conference semifinals.
Coach Mike Dunleavy has asked Clippers players to forget about the draft, free agency and trades, and just focus on individual improvement over the summer.