Paul George plays 'what if' game after Clippers exit NBA playoffs

It didn't take long after the Los Angeles Clippers' playoff run had concluded for Paul George to start playing the "what-if" game.

In his press conference following the 130-103 Game 6 loss to the Phoenix Suns, which is sending Chris Paul and Company to the Finals, George questioned whether it could have been his team celebrating and advancing. 

The defining factor? Teammate Kawhi Leonard's health.

"We'd be going on," George said. "This series would be a lot different. Talk about one of the best players in the league being out, yet we were inches away from getting to the next round.

"So, definitely it's a 'what if' on this. Fact of the matter is we didn't do enough to win, and that's the reason we're going home."

Leonard had been sidelined with a knee sprain since Game 4 of the conference semifinals against the Utah Jazz. The Clippers still played tough in his absence and continued making up for other player injuries, even while playing in their 15th game in 29 days. 

George himself made a good postseason showing, averaging 26.9 points per game and taking on more work in Leonard's absence. Even so, George questioned whether he could have done more to help his team out.

"I came up short again," George said. "I'm proud of what we did as a team. I wasn't out to prove nothing to nobody but to show up as a leader for this team and to put us in position to get to where we got to. Again, came up short. My good wasn't enough. There's room for improvement ... I'll look back. I'll reflect."