In an instant, the Clippers exchange one flashback for a worse one.

INGLEWOOD, CA — After ten years of covering the Los Angeles Clippers, I’ve had the opportunity to witness some of the most outrageous finishes an NBA game can have.

It has taught me to always anticipate that a series will need more games rather than less.

I feel like I’ve seen it all, especially in the last few years, but I’m also open to the idea that, like Kevin Garnett, anything is possible.

Since coming from San Diego in 1984, the Clippers have only won one postseason series in fewer than six games. That occurred during the team’s inaugural postseason series at the Staples Center arena in 2006.

The Clippers won their first postseason series since ceasing to be the Buffalo Braves in the 1970s when they defeated the Denver Nuggets 4-1 in the Western Conference quarterfinals.

Following their elimination of the 2006 Nuggets, LA has now finished 18 postseason series. Only six of those series have been won by it, and each one required at least six games.

The Nuggets then overcame a 3-1 hole for the second consecutive series, Jamal Murray ran circles around the Clippers for a 40-point Game 7, Nikola Jokić chewed up Montrezl Harrell while Ivica Zubac watched from the bench, and Marcus Morris Sr. and Paul Millsap got into a hold-me-back. Yes, a new coach, a new team, and new players. At least people would have considered it.

I’m sorry I brought it up at all. However, don’t hold me responsible for whatever unpleasant memories this series may evoke. After all, the Clippers’ loss in Game 4 exchanged a potentially negative memory for one that is now far more pertinent.

Aaron Gordon, a power forward for the Nuggets, saved the team from a 22-point fourth-quarter collapse to secure a 101-99 win that tied the series 2-2, gave the Nuggets momentum heading into Tuesday’s Game 5, gave Denver back the home advantage it lost in Game 2, and gave the Nuggets a win going into the most rest either team will get for the rest of the series.

But Zarba’s crew needed footage taken by Abraham Zapruder to conclude that Gordon fell from the sky to save Jokić’s errant game-winning 3-point attempt and scored what is likely the closest buzzer-beater in NBA postseason history.