Clippers, Kawhi come up missing in Game 5

LOS ANGELES – The Clippers are on the brink of elimination after losing Game 5 by 30 points on their home court. The Dallas Mavericks took advantage of a Clippers team that desperately needed Kawhi Leonard, coasting to a 123-93 win at Crypto.com.

The Clippers managed to win both of their first two games of the first-round series without Leonard, but in Game 5, not having their best player showed.

“We just didn’t play well all around. Defensively and offensively, we just didn’t play a good game. That is okay; just turn the page. We know we can win on their floor, and we have shown that in the past two playoff series,” said Tyronn Lue.

Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers drives past Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Doncic in a 123-93 loss on May 1, 2024. Photo credit: Melinda Meijer/News4usonline

You can pinpoint a stretch in the third quarter when Leonard would have taken control of the offense. Paul George and James Harden both had seven points and were a combined 4 of 18 from the field. The Mavericks were building upon their lead, and there was no Leonard to stop the bleeding and keep the game competitive.

“Obviously, you are missing one of the best players in the world, but we still have a lot of talent on the team. We have a lot of great players, and we know what to do. We showed it by winning two games. We just gotta be way better than tonight,” said Ivica Zubac.

George and Harden do not have the same championship pedigree as Leonard, and the two have built a reputation in the playoffs for occasionally having dud games. Both have always been at their best as the second or third option like they were for much of the regular season.

They are fully capable of stepping up and being the best player on the court any given night, but it is tough to rely on them to be the number one option for an entire seven-game series.

Even though we have seen it before, it is still shocking when Harden and George disappear in a big game when it matters the most, especially when they are coming off a road victory in which they both scored 33 points on 64 percent shooting.

“He is one of the elite scorers. There is not much that can be said. He is one of the best at putting the ball in the basket. It is just one of those nights. Some nights are tough. He will be better,” said George when asked about Harden’s performance. “We are all in this together, and we will climb ourselves out of this hole.”

James Harden of the Los Angeles Clippers runs up against the defense of Kyrie Irving of the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 of the two teams’ NBA first-round playoff series. The Mavericks defeated the Clippers, 123-93. Photo credit: Melinda Meijer/News4usonline

George finished the game with 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Harden scored seven points with seven assists.

“It was just an uncharacteristic game, and we gotta be better going into Game 6,” said George.

Luka Doncic continues to defend at a higher level than NBA fans are used to, and he finally had an MVP-type offensive performance. For the first time in the series, he shot over 50 percent, which resulted in 35 points, ten assists, and seven rebounds.

“We have been here before. A few years ago, we were down 3-2 going to Dallas. We won Game 6, then went home and won game 7,” said Zubac. “Everyone is locked in, and everyone still believes.”

Zubac has been fantastic during this series, and he was the best player on the floor for LA in game 5. He only missed one shot and scored 15 points, but Zubac being the Clippers’ best player is not a recipe for success when trying to keep up with Dallas.


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