After last Sunday night’s emphatic win against their cross-town rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Los Angeles Clippers appear poised to make a significant push in the second half of the season. Fully healthy for the first time this year, the Clippers demonstrated why they should not be overlooked as a legitimate playoff contender.
While the Lakers often dominate headlines due to their storied history and superstar allure, the Clippers have been quietly building a squad ready to emerge from the shadow of their more celebrated “stepbrother” in Los Angeles. Sunday’s matchup underscored that narrative, as the Clippers showcased their dominance in a 116-102 victory, leaving little doubt about their superiority.
Sundays game also marked the Clippers’ first matchup against the Lakers in their new home, the Intuit Dome. “It was great, it felt like home,” head coach Tyronn Lue said post-game. The energy in the building seemed to fuel the Clippers, who controlled the game for all four quarters against a Lakers team still trying to find their identity.
Kawhi Leonard, who has faced his share of injuries in recent seasons, expressed optimism about his recovery. “I’m happy with the progress. I’m coming out of games feeling great. But we still got work to do,” he said. His presence on the court could be the catalyst the Clippers need for a deep playoff run.
James Harden earned praise following Sunday’s game-this time from an unlikely source. Lakers star LeBron James, reflecting on Harden’s performance, said, “He is a selfless guy. He just plays the game the right way. He can score when he wants to and has always been a great passer.” Harden’s unselfish playstyle and versatility have been critical to the Clippers’ recent success.
Coach Lue summed up what makes this Clippers team unique: “We win differently every night.” That adaptability highlights their potential and has propelled them to a 24-18 record. With momentum on their side, it will be interesting to see how much stronger this team can become as they gear up for the playoffs.
The high of Sunday’s win was short-lived. Playing on the second night of a back-to-back without Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac, the Clippers fell to the Chicago Bulls last Monday night 112-99 at home in a game where they went 9-42 from the 3-point line. Letdowns like this are common during the grind of an NBA season, especially following emotional victories. Despite the setback, the loss does little to diminish the team’s promise.
Up next for the Clippers is a home matchup against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night, which will be another tough test against one of the NBA’s elite teams. After Wednesdays’ game the Clippers stay at home to face the Wizards on Thursday and the Bucks on Saturday. Tip off for all three games is set for 7:30 p.m.