Western Conference Quarter Finals: Spurs defeat Jazz in Game 7, 110-119 (4-3).

The Spurs found a way to win Game 7.

Game 7 -- something that has only happened now three times over the course of nine championship runs for a total of 37 playoff rounds. It'd been four seasons since the Jazz were ousted by the Spurs 4-1, most undeniably taking a pound of flesh from the champions in this series, becoming only the third team to push the dynasty to a final four quarters. Before tonight, the Spurs had only gone seven games with the Mavericks & Trailblazers in years past, with the Pelicans stretching them to six games four seasons ago.

"They scared the crap out of us. We did win, right? You're sure? No, in all seriousness, I want to congratulate Coach Snyder on a tremendous season with the Jazz, and boy did he ever light a fire in those guys. They gave us their best, and brought something close to ours just for us to make it out of this round in seven great games of basketball. We have got to do better, but I'm proud of our resilience tonight and in game six."

Coach Popovich will have an even harder challenge next in the Los Angeles Clippers, led by Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Then the bad news: Brandon Ingram went down in the fourth quarter, clutching his elbow, eventually found to be a sprain that will put him out for 1-2 weeks, most definitely missing Game 1. "We've gotta find a way to win, just like tonight, when LA comes for Game 1. I hope we get Brandon back as soon as possible, especially after what he did for us tonight."

A mute crowd of collective disbelief was stirred back to life by Joe Harris hitting two clutch 3PTers after Ingram's injury moment, a moment that even the Jazz had trouble capitalizing forward from. San Antonio would be able to hold on, after Taurean Prince (10 points) scored in transition next. Timofey Mosgov buried the mid-range jumper and then Utah started firing from the hip, the meter having run empty for the Jazz.

The Spurs led 71-56 at one point, but Utah kept fighting back, as San Antonio seized control on an 11-0 run in the third quarter, going up 66-54, 81-89 going into the fourth quarter. Dejounte Murray buried free throws. J.R. Smith hit the dagger three-point basket to seal the victory with 27s left. Ingram had 27 points. Harris scored 15 points, with 2 steals on 5 threes. Smith had 14. Bradley was clutch again from the perimeter, making 12 points with 7 assists. Allen & Mosgov delivered for the Spurs with 25 rebounds, holding Gobert to only 12 on the night.

The Rest
1st Qtr: 26-26
2nd Qtr: 29-28, SA
3rd Qtr: 34-27, SA
4th Qtr: 30-29, SA

Their season at an end now, the Jazz were led by Donovan Mitchell's 25 points, going 10-18 with 8 assists. Mike Conley had 15 points, 7 assists but was flustered into five turnovers. Dante Exum had 14 points with 8 assists. The Spurs made fourteen 3PT shots, winning the paint 56-54 and the fast break also, not to mention the glass 46-44. The Jazz had 13 turnovers.