The Clippers have the NBA’s best 3

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – In a matchup featuring two of the top teams in the Western Conference, the Clippers again proved they are one of the scariest opponents in the NBA. Los Angeles defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 128-117 and held Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to under 20 points for only the third time all season.

“They are playing at a ridiculously high level for a sustained period of time now; they are not just hot,” said Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault pregame. “They are a team that you have to be really tight against on both ends of the floor. There is a reason they are good; they can score, and they have top-end talent.”

DAYUM KAWHI ???? pic.twitter.com/b02vugE4FV

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) January 17, 2024

Regardless of how it goes the rest of the way, the Clippers should run this team back next year. Now that Kawhi Leonard has signed a three-year extension, Los Angeles must direct its focus toward resigning Paul George and James Harden. This version of the Clippers is the best we have ever seen, and they currently have the most dynamic big three in the league.

“We have James, who is an elite pick-and-roll player,” said Ty Lue. “We try to get PG in more catch and shoots and elbow isos and Kawhi the same thing and then let James handle the pick and roll responsibilities making the right plays and reads.”

What makes this offense so dangerous is on any given night, Harden, George, or Leonard can carry the team. All three players have scored at least 35 points in a game this season, and their skill sets fit perfectly together. They can all create their own shot with ease but are just as eager to set each other up.

The argument could be made that any of the trio is the most prolific player on the team. On Tuesday, it was Paul George who had 38, while Harden and Leonard combined for 14 assists, setting up the hot hand.

PAUL. GEORGE.

COUNT IT! pic.twitter.com/yr3JhofiQg

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) January 17, 2024

“James is one of the best at playmaking, seeing the floor, and reading the floor. They are going to double-team Kawhi on a nightly basis, and that leaves a lot of opportunities for me to be aggressive,” said George. “Nine times out of ten, I have the third-best defender on the floor,” said George. “I feel like I can score on anyone, but if I have the third-best defender on the floor, then I am ultra-aggressive in those situations.”

No other team has the luxury of such a lopsided mismatch in the lineup. Paul George is an elite offensive player who will abuse most teams’ third-best defenders time and time again. Come playoff time, when rotations shorten and starters’ minutes increase, stopping all three of them will be a nightmare.