The Los Angeles Clippers were up by 19 points in the third quarter against the Houston Rockets in Game 6 on Thursday, and the game (as well as the series) felt as though it was just about over when Blake Griffin made this circus spinning layup.

Then something unthinkable happened: with James Harden sitting on the bench, the Rockets clawed their way back into the game in the fourth quarter and outscored the Clippers 49-18 to come out with a 119-107 victory to force a Game 7.

Josh Smith was the biggest initiator of the unbelievable comeback, scoring 14 of his 19 points in the decisive fourth quarter. Corey Brewer also played a critical role off the bench, scoring 19 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Harden was generally ineffective in this game, scoring 23 points but shooting just five-of-20.

NBA players around the league couldn’t believe what they witnessed and reacted accordingly, as below:

The face you make when you go grab a sandwich and the rockets were down 17 and return they up 9..… https://t.co/i1skxIyFPb — Kenny Smith (@TheJetOnTNT) May 15, 2015

Man I seriously ate my words this is mind blowing. Please help me understand this. #inablinkofandeye — Corey Maggette (@Corey_Maggette) May 15, 2015

Wow…what a comeback! Rockets arent goin down without a fight…and Harden is on the bench! Crazy! #NBAPlayoffs — Anthony Tolliver (@ATolliver44) May 15, 2015

WOWWW!!!! Did the #Clippers think this game was over? They probably just eliminated them-self from getting to the Western Conference finals. — Carl Landry (@CarlLandry) May 15, 2015

B4 josh took it over. Cory brewer got it cracking — Dorell Wright (@DWRIGHTWAY1) May 15, 2015

Shout out to James for not being thirsty and telling his coach to out him back in.He saw a group getting it done and he believe in his mates — Dorell Wright (@DWRIGHTWAY1) May 15, 2015

This is unbelievable! What a comeback. Hats off. — Chandler Parsons (@ChandlerParsons) May 15, 2015

Wait what!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ok Josh I see you! — BRANDON JENNINGS (@BrandonJennings) May 15, 2015

Stunned — C.J. Watson (@Quietstorm_32) May 15, 2015

How come we can’t get a shot of Ballmer now? — Tom Tolbert (@byronjr23) May 15, 2015

Josh smith hoopin — Michael Carter-Willi (@MCW1) May 15, 2015

What a comeback by Houston — Derrick Coleman (@44TheLegend) May 15, 2015

what is happening. — Kendall Marshall (@KButter5) May 15, 2015

They better without Harden right now…on both hands.. — rudy gobert (@rudygobert27) May 15, 2015

rockets showing heart of a champion right now — TJ Ford (@tj_ford) May 15, 2015

The Clippers did not close out the 3rd qtr and the Rockets stole the momentum at the beginning of the 4th qtr. — Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 15, 2015

That’s as impressive of a comeback as you’ll ever see ..sheesh. — John Henson (@_John_Henson_) May 15, 2015

Why? You gotta stop complaining to your grocer about your barber…what an amazing turn of events. https://t.co/du26F1NvFy — Brent Barry (@Barryathree) May 15, 2015

Josh Smith is the hero for the Rockets knocking down 3 three-pointers and scoring 14pts of his 19pts in the 4th quarter! — Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 15, 2015

The Clippers are in a world of trouble after not closing out at home in Game 6 and now having to go to Houston for Game 7. — Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 15, 2015

Jim Park is a blogger and editor of Sheridan Hoops. Follow him on twitter @SheridanBlog.