Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Paul George did not make any excuses for Sunday’s absolutely humiliating loss, but in a way he also did.

George’s Clippers were massacred by the Dallas Mavericks, falling by the lopsided final of 124-73. After the game, the star forward said that he took full responsibility for the loss. At the same time though, George said that the Clippers were sluggish because they played on the road for Christmas Day on Friday and did not get to celebrate with their families until Saturday.

While the Clippers were on the road in Denver for Christmas, the Mavs were also on the road facing the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas. Sunday’s game took place in LA, meaning that the Mavs have not been back home since.

Though Kawhi Leonard did not play on Sunday, the Clippers’ performance as a team was still historically bad. George is a player who has a reputation for putting his foot in his mouth at times, and this may have been another instance of that.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Watch: Oilers chase goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky from Game 4
Dodgers ace leaves game against Royals due to triceps tightness
Pirates place young catcher on concussion IL
Watch: Game 4 of Stanley Cup Final gets off to chaotic start
Rockies 1B, former NL MVP diagnosed with internal oblique strain
NBA insider shares update on J.J. Redick's candidacy for Lakers HC job
Sam Mayer uses overtime restart to win Xfinity Series' return to Iowa
Nationals hurler DJ Herz makes impressive history in third career start
Free-agent DB Stephon Gilmore addresses playing future 
Report: Oilers open extension negotiations with veteran winger
Tiger Woods makes big admission about his U.S. Open future
Cubs P 'Mike' Imanaga continues hot start vs. Cardinals
Ravens All-Pro safety undergoes minor surgery
Kyle Larson takes pole for inaugural Cup Series race at Iowa
Maple Leafs make major change to coaching staff
Nationals sign OF/DH to minor league contract a day after release
Cubs place lefty starter on 15-day IL
Celtics' All-Defensive guard reportedly could replace Kawhi Leonard on Team USA
Tee Higgins' contract decision adds pressure on Bengals in 2024
Phillies get veteran OF back from IL