An exciting rivalry brewed between the Warriors and Clippers, stretching from the mid-2010s to 2019. The two Western Conference teams engaged in intense battles on the hardwood, especially during their two postseason meetings.
However, Kevin Durant's arrival in 2016 changed the power dynamics of the league. Adding the Slim Reaper to a 73-9 Golden State team made them invincible at all ends. Nonetheless, there was opposition like the Clippers, who had the potential to cause upsets.
One such landmark event was Clippers guard Lou Williams notching a 50-piece at the Oracle Arena during a regular season game in 2018. The three-time 6th MOY would spoil the party for Kevin Durant, who hit the 20,000 points milestone in his career.
Lou Williams serves 50-piece nuggets to KD and Co.
Williams seemed to be from another planet during this contest against GSW. The 6-foot-1 guard would deliver a 50-point performance in the Bay Area. The veteran guard was 16-for-27 from the field, including 8-for-16 from the 3-point line, putting up shooting splits of 59.3/50/100.
The former Hawks player had 7-assists in the 125-106 dominant win over the Warriors. KD gave Williams his flowers, saying, "He ordered 50-piece nuggets on us tonight. Lou got it going." This would also end Steve Kerr and crew's 12-game winning streak against LAC.
Durant, who joined the 20K points club, became the second-youngest player at 29 years to do so, after LeBron James. Nevertheless, this historic moment wouldn't get much limelight, courtesy of Williams blitzing the Warriors.
Williams, on his historic outing
Agreeing 50 was significant; the Clipper's guard priority remained winning the game.
"50 is a huge number. It's a great accomplishment," Williams said. "For me, it was more important to get a win, try to close that gap to get back to .500, especially with the injuries, with guys in and out of the lineup, for us to have still that opportunity, to be in the playoff fold. So, I've been playing with confidence for the past month or so now."
The same season saw Williams win his second 6th MOY trophy, averaging an all-time high 22.6 PPG.
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