Clippers’ Paul George Responds After Jazz Fans Chant ‘Playoff P’ During Game 1 Win

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Clippers forward Paul George discussed playing in Vivint Arena after Jazz fans taunted him with “Playoff P” chants during Utah’s Game 1 win over Los Angeles.

The Jazz defeated George and the Clippers in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals on June 8. Utah won the game, 112-109.

After the game, George was asked about playing in front of Jazz fans in Salt Lake City.

“I like it,” George said postgame. “That part doesn’t get to me. It’s all respect. I’ve had good games here and I’ve had bad games here.”

 

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“That’s part of this game, to be honest,” George added. “Crowd’s going to be involved. You want that. As an opposing player, you kind of want that.”

The Clippers star finished the contest with 20 points on 4-17 shooting, including 3-8 from beyond the arc. He also recorded 10 rebounds, two assists, and a pair of turnovers in the loss. George posted a minus-three rating during his 37 minutes on the court.

“Fact of the matter is, I didn’t shoot the ball well,” George said. “I thought I was indecisive on my approach. But I will be a little bit better on taking the shots that I want.”

Tuesday was Paul George's 10th career postseason game shooting 25% or worse from the field (min. 15 attempts).

That's the 3rd-most games by any player since the shot-clock era began in 1954-55.

H/T to @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/mXLLhIjd2V

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 9, 2021

This is the second time that George has faced the Jazz in postseason. In 2018, Utah eliminated George and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round, 4-2.

During that series, the former Thunder forward averaged 24.7 points per game on 40.8 percent shooting. However, his total dipped to 20.0 points per contest during the series’ three games in Salt Lake City. He only scored five points on 2-16 field goals in OKC’s Game 6 elimination loss.

"Can anybody find Paul George?! I remember him … saying that people were gonna pay. Well right now the only person that's paying is Steve Ballmer because we don't know where you are!"@KendrickPerkins is searching for PG13 👀 pic.twitter.com/cU65e1ZD5C

— First Take (@FirstTake) June 9, 2021

“It’s playoff basketball,” George on the continuing series with the Jazz. “The physicality just has to be allowed on both ends, and I’ll leave it at that.”