Aussies in NBA Playoffs: This could've been us Clippers. With love, Joe Ingles
Joe Ingles?! More like Joe WINgles!
when you put on a masterclass in the NBA Playoffs against the team that waived you... pic.twitter.com/VHt7iBCmL7
— The Pick and Roll (@PickandRollAU) April 24, 2017
Joe Ingles has had the game of his life today against the Los Angeles Clippers. In a crucial Game 4, with the Clippers down 1-2 in the series, Ingles was in no mood to lose this game of basketball.
He was everywhere, and simply would not be denied when it came down to the wire. Jinglin' Joe, along with Joe Johnson (boy, oh boy is he on fire!) and Rodney Hood hit big shot, after big shot to edge out the Clippers 105-98.
Earlier in the game, disaster struck the Jazz once again when Gordon Hayward was sent home due to food poisoning after playing 9 minutes, but much like Game 1, the Jazz just wouldn't go away and produced an inspired effort.
Ingles' passing ability has long been talked about, but today against the Clippers it was on another level.
The Clippers defence was no match for Ingles' passing as he led teammates to the rack and found open guys all game long.
Ingles amassed 11 assists, setting all kinds of records:
New career high
Highest by any Jazz player this season
Australian all-time Playoff record
His passing set the tone early and kept the Jazz in control, but down the stretch it was his three-point shooting that won the game.
Two clutch triples, first to give the Jazz a 94-90 lead with 3:24 remaining, then the DAGGER that put the Jazz up 102-94 with 58 seconds remaining, were game changers. If the Jazz go on to win this series, they will go down as series-changing triples.
There is no doubt that Ingles is a calming influence out there. He is just always under control, and even in the biggest of moments he is cool, calm and remains the same Slo-Mo Joe that we all know and love.
Ingles finished the game with 8 points, 6 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 steals and was +13 in 37 minutes of game time.
The importance of this performance from Ingles can't be underestimated. He simply rang rings around the Clippers, and whether or not Gordon Hayward is over his illness in time for Game 5 in LA, the Jazz know they can win games of basketball with their usual stars missing.
Seeing Joe Ingles lead the Jazz to victory against the team that waived him in 2014 makes it just a little bit sweeter.
Hey Clippers, this could've been us.
https://youtu.be/898nOcT46LE