The Los Angeles Clippers have levelled their first-round playoff series with the Golden State Warriors after coming from 31 points down to win 135-131 on Monday.

Lou Williams was the star of the show for the Clippers, recording a game-high 36 points, while Landry Shamet’s successful three-pointer with 16.5 seconds remaining completed the record comeback, as no team had previously overturned such a big deficit to win since records began in 2000.

The victory also means the Clippers are now level at 1-1 with defending NBA Champions Golden State in the best of seven series and they have the added advantage of playing the next two games at the Staples Center.

Head coach Doc Rivers was quick to praise the never say die attitude of his players following the win and he says that expectations remain high within the group that they can overcome a GSW team that has been the dominant force in the Western Conference for the last five years.

“The players just don’t give in,” Rivers told reporters. “They allow you to coach them, to sub them without drama.

“If you are 30 points or more down and you comeback against anybody it is special. That’s what is special not winning the game.

“This team has expectations that no one wants to agree with but that’s fine.”

Golden State’s night was compounded by the quad injury sustained by center DeMarcus Cousins during the first quarter and he will now undergo and MRI scan to uncover the extent of the damage.