Emotions boil over after Clippers defeat Chris Paul, Rockets

Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul, left, tries to drive by Clippers forward Sam Dekker during the first half of Monday’s game at Staples Center. While Paul and the Clippers never found the success they hoped for in the postseason, much of the minimal playoff history the franchise possesses has a lot to do with Paul’s time with the team. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin, right, shoots as Houston Rockets forward Ryan Anderson defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin, below, dunks as Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Montrezl Harrell, left, shoots as Houston Rockets forward Luc Mbah a Moute, of Cameroon, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Clippers guard Jawun Evans, center, reaches for a rebound along with Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul, left, and forward Tarik Black during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Jawun Evans, right, shoots as Rockets guard Chris Paul defends during the first half of Monday’s game at Staples Center. The Clippers won 113-102 to spoil Paul’s homecoming game. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin, right, shoots as Houston Rockets forward Tarik Black defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Sam Dekker, below, dunks as Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Sam Dekker dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Houston Rockets forward Tarik Black, wright, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers forward Montrezl Harrell defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Sam Dekker is seen in shoes with the words “Equality” written on them during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon, left, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Houston Rockets forward Luc Mbah a Moute, left, of Cameroon, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers guard Tyrone Wallace defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 113-102. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Montrezl Harrell, right, dunks as Houston Rockets center Clint Capela, of Switzerland, defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 113-102. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Houston Rockets guard Gerald Green, left, looks at referee Mike Callahan after receiving a technical foul during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 113-102. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Wesley Johnson, right, shoots as Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 113-102. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin, left, shoots as Houston Rockets forward PJ Tucker defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 113-102. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams, left, shoots as Houston Rockets guard Gerald Green defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 113-102. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers forward Blake Griffin, left, and Rockets guard Chris Paul wait for a rebound during the second half of Monday’s game at Staples Center. The Clippers won 113-102, spoiling Paul’s first game against his old team on his old court since being traded last summer. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 15: Blake Griffin #32 of the LA Clippers reacts as he posts up Luc Mbah a Moute #12 of the Houston Rockets during a 113-102 Clipper win at Staples Center on January 15, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Houston Rockets guard Gerald Green, left, dunks as Los Angeles Clippers guard Tyrone Wallace defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 113-102. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 15: Lou Williams #23 of the LA Clippers hangs on to the ball as he is guarded by Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets during the first half at Staples Center on January 15, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 15: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers celebrates his dunk in front of Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets during a 113-102 Clipper win at Staples Center on January 15, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 15: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets argues a call during the first half against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on January 15, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 15: Sam Dekker #7 of the LA Clippers blocks the shot of Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets during the first half at Staples Center on January 15, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin, left, and Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza have words before both of them were ejected in the closing seconds of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 113-102. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 15: Trevor Ariza #1 of the Houston Rockets is restrained by an assistant coach before his ejection from the game during a 113-102 LA Clippers win at Staples Center on January 15, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 15: (R-L) Austin Rivers #25, Lou Williams #23 and Blake Griffin #32 of the LA Clippers laugh during a stop in play in a 113-102 Clipper win over the Houston Rockets at Staples Center on January 15, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 15: Blake Griffin #32 of the LA Clippers celebrates a Houston Rockets foul during a 113-102 Clipper win at Staples Center on January 15, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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LOS ANGELES — It started with boos, which turned into cheers for Chris Paul. It ended with mayhem and an ugly scene in a corridor outside the Clippers’ locker room as Paul and several of his Houston Rockets teammates tried to enter to confront injured guard Austin Rivers and perhaps Blake Griffin.

Staples Center security stopped the players before they could gain entrance, keeping the teams apart after matters nearly spiraled out of control on the court in the closing minutes of the Clippers’ 113-102 victory over the Rockets on Monday night.

This was supposed to be Paul’s night, his homecoming, his return to his place of employment for six seasons. The Clippers ruined the party, seized the night and made it theirs, winning their fifth in a row, moving above .500 at 22-21 and into seventh place in the Western Conference.

Griffin and Houston coach Mike D’Antoni cursed at each other after Paul fouled Griffin on a drive to the basket with the Clippers in command of the game. Griffin and D’Antoni were each given technical fouls with the Clippers ahead 108-98 with 3:34 left.

D’Antoni later said Griffin hit him on the sideline.

Emotions reached a boiling point when Griffin intercepted Houston’s Trevor Ariza, who began yelling at Austin Rivers on the Clippers’ bench. Griffin drew his second technical foul and was ejected with 1:03 remaining, and Ariza also was tossed.

The final seconds passed without incident, and the Clippers and Rockets retreated to their locker rooms. The Clippers got inside and stayed there, but Ariza, Paul, Gerald Green and injured guard James Harden attempted to get into the locker room via an adjoining corridor.

A fifth player, reportedly Clint Capela, knocked on the main door of the Clippers’ locker room, but whoever answered it, shut it quickly on the Rockets’ center.

“We were where we were supposed to be,” Griffin said when asked about the postgame incident. “We were in our locker room. Whatever happens over there, we controlled what we did. We were in our locker room in our seats. You should ask them.”

Paul ducked questions about the Rockets’ attempted invasion of the Clippers’ locker room.

The Clippers were not particularly forthcoming, either.

“We’re honoring Martin Luther King Day,” Coach Doc Rivers said. “We’re non-violent.”

The NBA is expected to investigate the incident.

On the court, Paul was at his all-too-familiar best, scoring 19 points, grabbing six rebounds and adding seven assists. He and the Harden-less Rockets couldn’t prevent the Clippers from winning their 11th game in their last 14, which has vaulted them back into the playoff race.

Harden sat out for the seventh consecutive game because of a hamstring injury.

Lou Williams and Griffin took the Clippers where they wanted to go, scoring from far and near. Williams scored 31 points on 12-for-19 shooting, including 4 for 8 from 3-point range, and Griffin added 29 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.

It was bound to be an emotional night, Paul’s first visit to face the Clippers since he was granted his wish to be traded last summer, and it didn’t disappoint. The Clippers trailed by as many as 10 points before closing the half with a 25-12 run. They never trailed again.

It was not just another game for Williams, Sam Dekker, Montrezl Harrell and injured guard Patrick Beverley, the players the Clippers received from the Rockets in the deal for Paul. They had celebrated their Houston homecomings with the Clippers’ Dec. 22 victory over the Rockets.

“We’ve got a lot of hungry guys,” Williams said.

Clippers fans booed Paul the first time he touched the ball and the second time, too. It wasn’t angry or sustained. When the first TV timeout arrived midway through the first quarter and a tribute video played on the giant overhanging scoreboard, all seemed to be forgiven.

Many in the non-sellout crowd of 17,622 stood and cheered.

Paul’s legacy in six seasons with the Clippers was not a championship, but it was something nearly as lasting and important. Paul helped chart a new, winning course that didn’t exist before his arrival. It took time, but the Clippers underwent a dramatic image makeover during his tenure.

“It’s always emotional when you lose, especially against your former team,” Paul said at game’s end. “All of the emotions that go into seeing familiar faces and stuff like that. For us, we have to be better. Give them credit, they won the game.”

Can confirm wild details from Staples Center: Chris Paul, James Harden, Trevor Ariza, Gerald Green going to Clippers locker room with Austin Rivers, Blake Griffin in their sights through backdoor. Security stops it before it happens (with Capela turned away at front door). Geesh.

— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) January 16, 2018

.@TeamLou23 chats with @ROSGO21 after his BIG 31-point performance in the @LAClippers win over @HoustonRockets. pic.twitter.com/EWHfgSHgA7

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 16, 2018

Emotions boil over after Clippers defeat Chris Paul, Rockets

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