Episode 3 of "Clipped" dives headfirst into the chaos unleashed by Donald Sterling's racist audio leak. Doc, furious at the damage control debacle, scrambles to contain the fallout and shield his team.
News of the audio spreads like wildfire, engulfing the entire Clippers organization. Players are accosted by reporters and harassed online. Doc, desperate for a solution, gathers the team for a strategic meeting. He believes Donald will apologize and take responsibility, but the team holds little faith in their owner.
Meanwhile, V, the woman at the center of the storm, prepares for an NBA player's visit while her lawyer advises her to concoct a story. Doc confronts Andy, the team's media director, demanding a public apology from Donald. Doc's aim is to deflect media attention from the players onto Donald and buy them time to decide whether to play.
Shelly and V are questioned by investigators, presenting contrasting narratives. Shelly claims V drugged Donald, while V asserts this was not a singular incident. Donald, unsurprisingly, denies everything in a pre-recorded statement that rings hollow under the Clippers logo.
The team wrestles with their options. Some advocate for a boycott, refusing to be "owned" by a racist. Others believe playing silences their voices and benefits the very people they oppose. Doc proposes a strategy - play and win for themselves, becoming champions on their own terms. Most players agree, though DJ remains restless and desires a more visible form of protest.
Tension mounts at a couples' dinner where Shelly and Andy's wife, Anne, share a meal with Donald and Shelly. The dinner descends into chaos as Donald lashes out, further isolating Shelly. Her friend Julie arrives, offering support and voicing her disdain for Donald.
V, reveling in the spotlight, uses the controversy to fuel her own fame. She rollerblades in front of paparazzi, creates branded merchandise, and basks in the dubious media attention. Deja, V's friend, urges her to speak out against Donald. However, V deflects, accusing Deja of jealousy. Their friendship hangs by a thread.
Game 4 arrives, and the Clippers, united in defiance, wear their jerseys inside-out. Their protest falls flat on the court as they suffer a humiliating loss. Shelly attempts to connect with the team after the game, but her efforts backfire.
Undeterred by the team's struggles, V stages another publicity stunt, posing with a turtle and declaring a bid for US president. Later, alone, she listens to another damning recording – Donald questioning her race and appearance. The episode ends with this unsettling revelation, hinting at a deeper web of secrets and manipulation.