Chris Paul trolls Los Angeles Clippers after devastating play-in elimination

The Los Angeles Clippers’ season came to a crushing end with a 126-121 loss to the Golden State Warriors in the play-in tournament, but the most talked-about moment happened off the court. Just minutes after the final buzzer, Chris Paul delivered a perfectly timed social media jab at his former franchise.

The NBA legend posted an Instagram story featuring an internet meme with the original caption « Stopped by one of my biggest hater’s funeral today. » The timing couldn’t have been more deliberate – or more savage.

Chris Paul’s IG story. 💀💀💀 pic.twitter.com/2wWT9IAJBI

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 16, 2026

A messy breakup that set the stage

This public trolling stems from Paul’s tumultuous final chapter with the Clippers. The future Hall of Famer had returned to Los Angeles in the offseason, hoping for one last meaningful run with the franchise where he spent some of his best years during the « Lob City » era.

Instead, Paul found himself in the middle of reported disagreements with teammates and coaching staff, including head coach Tyronn Lue. The situation deteriorated so badly that the organization sent him home in December, effectively ending his season before it truly began.

By February, the Clippers had moved on completely, trading Paul to the Toronto Raptors in a three-team deal. The Raptors immediately released him, and with no other NBA opportunities materializing, Paul officially announced his retirement.

Perfect timing for revenge

The Clippers’ collapse made Paul’s social media shot even more pointed. Los Angeles had controlled the game for most of the night, maintaining their lead even as Stephen Curry began heating up in the second half. But when it mattered most, they blinked first.

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NBA Play-In: Stephen Curry and the Warriors Eliminate the Clippers

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A disastrous 43-32 fourth quarter allowed the Warriors to wrestle control away and secure the victory. Bennedict Mathurin led the Clippers with 23 points, while Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland contributed 21 points each, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the season-ending collapse.

For Paul, watching his former team’s playoff dreams die in such brutal fashion provided the perfect opportunity for payback. After being unceremoniously pushed aside mid-season, the veteran point guard got to savor the last laugh as the Clippers’ season ended in disappointment.

While the hope remains that Paul and the Clippers might eventually reconcile – it would be unfortunate if his jersey is never retired by the franchise – this Instagram post suggests those wounds are still very fresh.