Doc Rivers Tears Up Thinking About Mother Prior to Game 5 vs. Blazers

Prior to the Los Angeles Clippers' 108-98 Game 5 playoff loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, head coach Doc Rivers became emotional due to the subject of his late mother. 

According to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com), Rivers was asked whom he would lean on for support in the wake of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin both landing on the shelf because of injuries. He teared up before responding, "I don't know," and then he made mention of his mother, saying "that would have been a person."

The former NBA championship-winning coach's mother, Bettye Rivers, died in June 2015.

Austin Rivers commented on the impact his grandmother's passing had on his father, via Arash Markazi of ESPN: 

Rivers' short-handed Clippers were no match for the Blazers on Wednesday, as the dynamic backcourt of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum combined for 49 points en route to victory.

L.A. is now one game away from elimination despite entering the season as one of the top contenders in the Western Conference.

Stephen Curry's absence from the Golden State Warriors due to an MCL sprain leaves them somewhat vulnerable, but unless the Clips manage to pull off a comeback, they won't have the opportunity to knock off the defending champions.

The fact that Rivers lost his two best players at such a crucial time may well have created an emotional environment in the locker room, and that seemingly carried over to his pregame press conference Wednesday.

Rivers is regarded as one of the NBA's top coaches, but with the Blazers rolling and a patchwork lineup in place, the odds are against them when it comes to taking the next two games against Portland.

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