Reggie Jackson Says He Was ‘Ready’ to Retire Before Season

Reggie Jackson has had a career renaissance this season with the Los Angeles Clippers, but especially this postseason.

But Jackson’s great season was closer to not happening at all than some would think. In an extensive interview with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Jackson revealed he had seriously considered retirement prior to the season.

“I was ready to leave. I was ready to give up,” Jackson says. “I thought I was going to retire because I just couldn’t get healthy.

“It just started weighing on me,” Jackson says. “I just felt like maybe it wasn’t meant to be,”

And it’s a good thing Jackson choose to stick around because he’s been a huge asset for the Clippers this postseason. In 18 playoff games this year, Jackson is averaging 18.1 points and 3.2 assists per game while shooting 49.2 percent from the field and 41.5 percent from three.

Jackson’s strong play has kept the Clippers alive in their Western Conference Finals series against the Phoenix Suns, despite Kawhi Leonard’s absence.

Currently, the Clippers trail the Suns 3-2 in the series but will have a chance to tie the series in Game 6 on Wednesday night.