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![Clippers forward Montrezl Harrell, center, shoots as Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins, left and forward Tyler Cavanaugh defend during the first half of Monday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]()
Clippers forward Montrezl Harrell, center, shoots as Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins, left and forward Tyler Cavanaugh defend during the first half of Monday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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![Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder, right, of Germany, has his shot blocked by Los Angeles Clippers guard Tyrone Wallace during the first half of a basketball game, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]()
Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder, right, of Germany, has his shot blocked by Los Angeles Clippers guard Tyrone Wallace during the first half of a basketball game, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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![Atlanta Hawks center Miles Plumlee, center, grabs a rebound away from Los Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams, left, and guard Sindarius Thornwell during the first half of a basketball game, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]()
Atlanta Hawks center Miles Plumlee, center, grabs a rebound away from Los Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams, left, and guard Sindarius Thornwell during the first half of a basketball game, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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![Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore, right, passes past Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan during the first half of a basketball game, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]()
Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore, right, passes past Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan during the first half of a basketball game, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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![Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder, of Germany, complains about a non shooting foul call during the first half of a basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]()
Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder, of Germany, complains about a non shooting foul call during the first half of a basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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![Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan, left, dunks as Atlanta Hawks forward Ersan Ilyasova, of Turkey, watches during the first half of a basketball game, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]()
Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan, left, dunks as Atlanta Hawks forward Ersan Ilyasova, of Turkey, watches during the first half of a basketball game, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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![Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder, right, of Germany, has his shot blocked by Los Angeles Clippers guard Tyrone Wallace during the first half of a basketball game, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]()
Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder, right, of Germany, has his shot blocked by Los Angeles Clippers guard Tyrone Wallace during the first half of a basketball game, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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![Atlanta Hawks center Dewayne Dedmon dunks during the first half of a basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]()
Atlanta Hawks center Dewayne Dedmon dunks during the first half of a basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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![Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder, left, of Germany, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers forward Wesley Johnson defends during the first half of a basketball game, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]()
Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder, left, of Germany, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers forward Wesley Johnson defends during the first half of a basketball game, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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![Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore, right, passes past Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan during the first half of a basketball game, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]()
Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore, right, passes past Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan during the first half of a basketball game, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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![Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins dunks during the first half of a basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]()
Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins dunks during the first half of a basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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![Los Angeles Clippers forward Wesley Johnson, left, shoots as Atlanta Hawks center Miles Plumlee defends during the first half of a basketball game, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]()
Los Angeles Clippers forward Wesley Johnson, left, shoots as Atlanta Hawks center Miles Plumlee defends during the first half of a basketball game, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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![Los Angeles Clippers guard C.J. Williams, hits a three-point shot as Atlanta Hawks forward Taurean Prince defends in the final seconds of the second half of a basketball game, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 108-107. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]()
Los Angeles Clippers guard C.J. Williams, hits a three-point shot as Atlanta Hawks forward Taurean Prince defends in the final seconds of the second half of a basketball game, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 108-107. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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![Los Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams, left, shoots as Atlanta Hawks forward Taurean Prince defends during the second half of a basketball game, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 108-107. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]()
Los Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams, left, shoots as Atlanta Hawks forward Taurean Prince defends during the second half of a basketball game, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 108-107. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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![Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore, left, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers forward Wesley Johnson defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 108-107. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]()
Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore, left, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers forward Wesley Johnson defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 108-107. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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![Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan grabs a rebound during the first half of a basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]()
Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan grabs a rebound during the first half of a basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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![Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder, of Germany, shoots during the first half of a basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]()
Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder, of Germany, shoots during the first half of a basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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![Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore, right, goes up for a dunk as Los Angeles Clippers forward Montrezl Harrell defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 108-107. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]()
Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore, right, goes up for a dunk as Los Angeles Clippers forward Montrezl Harrell defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 108-107. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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![Clippers guard C.J. Williams, right, drives by Atlanta Hawks forward Taurean Prince during the second half of Monday’s game at Staples Center. The Clippers won 108-107 after Williams hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 9.1 seconds left. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]()
Clippers guard C.J. Williams, right, drives by Atlanta Hawks forward Taurean Prince during the second half of Monday’s game at Staples Center. The Clippers won 108-107 after Williams hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 9.1 seconds left. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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![Clippers forward Wesley Johnson, center, and guard Lou Williams, right, celebrate while Atlanta Hawks guard Malcolm Delaney walks off as they win 108-107 in a basketball game, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]()
Clippers forward Wesley Johnson, center, and guard Lou Williams, right, celebrate while Atlanta Hawks guard Malcolm Delaney walks off as they win 108-107 in a basketball game, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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LOS ANGELES — C.J. Williams said he knew it was good the moment the ball left his hand.
He was right, too.
After all, he was in the best position to know, stationed as he was some 25 feet from the basket.
Williams’ go-ahead 3-pointer with 9.1 seconds remaining hit nothing but net and, after a defensive stop at the other end of the court, the injury-depleted Clippers managed to take an improbable 108-107 victory Monday from the Atlanta Hawks at Staples Center.
Nothing seemed to go as planned, which has become standard operating procedure for the Clippers in 2017-18. They led by 15 points in the third quarter, but couldn’t hold onto their advantage. They trailed by seven in the closing minutes, but still found a way to win.
Williams, a 27-year-old rookie on Day 40 of his 45-day, two-way contract, made them winners with the last of his 15 points. He started at small forward only because of the Clippers’ many injuries. He would have been with the Clippers’ G League team in Ontario if they were healthy.
“I’ve made that shot before,” Williams said.
Well, not in that exact situation, not with the game on the line, not with his coach screaming that he didn’t want a 3-pointer, not with plenty of time to hit the reset button and take another crack at tying the score, not with the opposition running at him, not with his NBA future in doubt.
Williams accepted a pass from teammate Wesley Johnson, who had rebounded Lou Williams’ missed 3-pointer a nanosecond earlier. C.J. Williams never hesitated, the ball spinning through the air as Clippers coach Doc Rivers bellowed for patience.
“Once we got that offensive rebound, I felt the momentum and the excitement of the moment and so I wanted to take the 3,” C.J. Williams said. “It got into my rhythm dribble and shot it, and I shot it with confidence. As soon as I let it go, I knew it was good.”
B-I-N-G-O!!!🙌@C_Will21 | #NBAVote
📸 https://t.co/S3ilrYyaXW pic.twitter.com/NHvP99i8dz— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) January 9, 2018
There were still 9.1 seconds to play and the Hawks had one more chance to steal the game from the Clippers. After a timeout, the Clippers cut off Atlanta’s Kent Bazemore, forcing the ball into the hands of Taurean Prince, who missed a 15-foot jump shot with Lou Williams guarding him.
Rivers held his breath on the sideline.
“It was a crazy game,” he said later.
The Clippers had an average of 72.6 points per game sidelined because of various injuries, some more serious than others but all impactful as they attempted to end a two-game losing streak. Four of their five opening-night starters, plus a key backup, were out.
Blake Griffin, averaging a team-leading 22.8 points, sat out because of a concussion suffered in the first quarter of Saturday’s loss to the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors. Austin Rivers (15.8 points) missed his fourth in a row because of an injured right ankle.
Danilo Gallinari (13.4 points) has been limited to 11 games because of a left gluteus maximus injury. Patrick Beverley (12.2 points) underwent season-ending right knee surgery Nov. 22. Milos Teodosic sat out for the second game after aggravating a plantar fascia injury to his left foot.
The Clippers (18-21) hardly looked like themselves.
Still, they were in good hands with DeAndre Jordan leading them from the inside and Lou Williams directing them from the outside. Jordan scored 25 points and grabbed 18 rebounds and Lou Williams scored 34 points, his 10th game with 30 or more this season.
Prince scored 20 points to lead the Hawks (10-30), last in the NBA’s overall standings.
Final📊
Lou: 34p/3r/4a
DJ: 25p/18r/2a/1b
C.J.: 15p/3r/2a/2b/4s
Evans: 13p/8r/4a/1b/4s
Tyrone: 11p/2r/1a/2b
Wes: 5p/7r/1a/2b/2s
Sam: 4p/2r
Sin: 1p/3r/1a
Trez: 1r/1a/1b📸: https://t.co/S3ilrYyaXW
🎥: https://t.co/bT35hPLLWz pic.twitter.com/GB3dAYy9og— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) January 9, 2018
🗣 Postgame Sound: “I felt the momentum, I felt the excitement of the moment…As soon as I let it go, I knew it was good.” – @C_Will21
📸: https://t.co/S3ilrYyaXW
🎥: https://t.co/AixZxM5SM1#ItTakesEverything pic.twitter.com/bOx4zZzsgN— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) January 9, 2018