Episode 2 of "Clipped" throws viewers back into the tangled web of power
struggles and racial tension brewing within the Los Angeles Clippers
organization. V, still reeling from the lawsuit filed by Shelly Sterling, seeks
guidance from her friend Deja. While Deja advises V to leverage her feminine
wiles to appease Donald, V remains indignant, viewing Shelly's actions as
theft.
Meanwhile, Doc Rivers strives to maintain control of the team amidst Donald Sterling's incessant meddling. Doc's longing for home and frustration with Donald's erratic behavior simmer beneath the surface. V, desperate to regain control, manipulates Donald into pressuring Shelly to drop the lawsuit.
Shelly, initially devastated, finds unexpected solace in a conversation with Donald by the pool. Their shared adversity seems to rekindle their love, with Donald viewing V as a mere "charity case." V, sensing her power over Donald waning, clumsily attempts to reignite jealousy, only to be shut out.
Faced with a crumbling hold on Donald, V resorts to her ultimate weapon – the incriminating audio recordings. As Shelly listens to Donald's racist rant towards Magic Johnson, the gravity of the situation dawns. Determined to protect Donald, Shelly seeks legal advice from the esteemed Pierce. However, Shelly's distrust of Donald's judgment leads her to exclude him from the legal strategy.
V's own lawyer downplays the lawsuit's legitimacy, but her decision to leak the recordings throws a wrench into the proceedings. V's paranoia grows as she discovers Donald has investigated her, including a visit to Deja's house. Donald, seemingly unfazed by V's attempts at manipulation, exposes her fabricated story of a sexual relationship with Deja.
On the basketball court, the Clippers struggle in the Playoffs. Doc's unorthodox training methods, involving aggressive verbal jabs, prove surprisingly effective, leading to a victory in the second game. V, determined to escalate the drama, bypasses legal channels and leaks the audio to TMZ, leaving Shelly with no choice but to drop Pierce as her lawyer.
The episode ends on a chilling note. As V receives a mysterious gift and a triumphant smile plays on her lips, Shelly, the "Wicked Witch of the West" as V once dubbed her, dons roller skates and glides off into the night, hinting at a cunning plan of her own. With the explosive audio about to go public, the future of the Clippers, and the lives of those involved, hang in the balance.