Clippers stay undefeated against Golden State

INGLEWOOD, CA – The LA Clippers beat a short-handed Golden State Warriors team 102-92 to improve their record to 18-13, which is good for fifth place in the Western Conference standings. LA has won all three of their matchups against Golden State this year.

It was a well-rounded effort by the Clippers, as all five starters reached double digits in the points category. LA continues to win on the defensive side of the ball, holding the Warriors to 36.8 percent shooting from the field and 18.4 percent from three.

Golden State was missing its offensive and defensive captains, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Without these two staples in the lineup, the Warriors failed to get much going on either end of the court. Jonathan Kuminga scored 34 points but was the only Warrior with significant production.

“We knew even with Steph and Draymond being out, it was not going to be an easy win, especially with the way Steve (Kerr) coaches that crew over there,” said Ty Lue. “It was a big win for us no matter how you look at it. In three days I won’t even know how we won. I will just know it was a W.”

After a hot start to the season, the Warriors have fallen flat on their faces, losing twelve of their last fifteen games. They have one of the deepest rosters in the NBA, but it looks like they need to turn some of their depth pieces into higher-end talent at the trade deadline to be considered contenders.

Norman Powell (24) scored 26 points to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 102-92 win against the Golden State Warriors at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California on Dec. 27, 2024. Photo credit: Melinda Meijer/News4usonline

“The strength of our team is the depth, but ironically, it has also hampered us in some ways,” said Kerr. “We are searching right now, and constantly changing lineups doesn’t really allow the guys to get in a grove.”

The Clippers jumped the Lakers and Nuggets in the standings with the win and sit only seven games back from the first-place Oklahoma City Thunder in the West. LA really could not ask for a much better start to their campaign without their best player for its entirety.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. looks to punctuate his drive to the basket against the defense of Trayce Jackson-Davis (32) of the Golden State Warriors at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Jones scored 14 points in the Clippers’ 102-92 win against the Warriors on Dec. 27, 2024. Photo credit: Melinda Meijer/News4usonline

Kawhi Leonard is targeting an early January return to the lineup.

With all his injuries in recent years, Leonard will not provide the same level of lockdown defensive play fans have become accustomed to. Still, he is more than capable of being a third-twenty-point-a-night scorer next to James Harden and Norman Powell.

“Guys are getting used to running his plays in practice so that when he gets back, we will be up to speed,” said Lue. “We are just getting his conditioning and timing right and playing ten minutes scrimmages to get him acclimated to playing five-on-five again.”

The Clippers defense is already elite. Another scoring option is necessary for their chances in the playoffs, and Leonard should fill that role nicely if he can stay healthy.

Lead photo caption: James Harden scored 18 points and had seven assists in a 102-92 win by the Los Angeles Clippers against the Golden State Warriors at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California on Dec. 27, 2024. Photo credit: Melinda Meijer/News4usonline


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