Clippers Turn Season Around
Inglewood, California – The LA Clippers are starting to turn their season around, despite what their record might suggest. After struggling for much of the season with injuries and inconsistent performances, the team showed renewed promise on Tuesday night, marking their second consecutive victory. A key player in this turnaround has been a healthy Kawhi Leonard, who delivered a sensational performance.
Leonard’s Stellar Performance
Leonard put on a spectacular display, finishing the game with 41 points, which is his highest score since December 2023. Alongside him, James Harden contributed significantly, adding 29 points, as the Clippers comprehensively defeated the Houston Rockets 128-108. This victory marks the first time the Clippers have achieved back-to-back wins since the early days of the season in October.
Rockets Struggling
Despite the loss, the Rockets have been struggling, now with only two wins in their last seven outings. Their defensive woes continue, currently ranked 27th in the league during this stretch. In this matchup, they struggled notably from beyond the arc, making just 9 of 30 attempts. Houston’s young roster displayed some disappointing lapses in fundamental play, a sign of the growing pains they thought they had overcome.
Looking Ahead
As the Rockets prepare for a pivotal game against the Lakers on Christmas Day, they must seriously address their defensive shortcomings.
“I feel like we just weren’t locked in defensively today, especially me,”
admitted Amen Thompson, one of the brighter young stars on the roster.
Clippers’ Defensive Resurgence
The Clippers, on the other hand, saw a resurgence in their defense, something that coach Tyronn Lue emphasized after the game.
“Outside of the first quarter, I thought defensively we locked in really well… We also took care of the basketball and made quick decisions,”
Lue noted. John Collins, who scored 13 points on perfect shooting in limited minutes, highlighted their communication on the court as a turning point in their performance.
Game Highlights
The game started with a classic performance from the NBA’s veteran stars, including Kevin Durant, who scored 17 points. At halftime, the Clippers held a narrow 63-58 lead, thanks in part to superior three-point shooting and effective contributions from their bench. Their strong second-half push, aided by a decisive 13-2 run, allowed them to control the game, winning the third quarter by a significant margin and carrying a 16-point lead into the final frame.
Future Goals
As the Clippers look to maintain this momentum, they aim for a more consistent finish to the season. Lue has set an ambitious target for his players, challenging them to aim for a 35-20 record moving forward to potentially reach a .500 season by the end of the year.
“If we can work together and stay healthy, we have a chance to achieve that goal,”
Lue remarked as the Clippers seek to build on their recent success.
