Losing two play-in games, including one at home, is a disappointment -- even if the LA Clippers were without their best player (Kawhi Leonard) for both and their second-best player (Paul George) for the second one.
But it was never about this season for the Clippers.
Their dreams of a championship ended in the playoffs last year when their franchise player was injured. This season was a bridge to 2022-23, when Leonard will return to the court. The goal this season was to tread water, place a priority on player development and, of course, compete for a playoff spot.
All three of those objectives were achieved without Leonard for the entire year, and without George for most of it.
Entering next season, the Clippers' play-in label will get changed to a team with a title-level roster.