On Thursday evening in Paycom Center, the LA Clippers were defeated by the Oklahoma City Thunder, 116-98, in one of their worst performances of the season. The game plan was not leveled with the Thunder, as several players struggled when the Clippers needed them most.
Furthermore, in the absence of franchise superstar Kawhi Leonard, it is relatively impossible to win games without former MVP James Harden. He is the heart and soul of the Clippers on both sides of the ball, as head coach Tyronn Lue strategies through his skillset. This explains the Clippers’ 19 wins this season.
However, fans hoped premiere scoring threat Norman Powell would step up and guide his squad towards a win. This was a realistic expectation, as he has delivered countless times this season. Conversely, things unfolded poorly for the Clippers, especially in the third quarter, where the Thunder claimed victory.
Moreover, Powell posted six points and six turnovers, shooting 1-11 from the field and 0-5 from a distance. This is a rare scene from the former UCLA Bruin, as he typically scores at a high rate on some of the best efficiencies league-wide. Additionally, Powell marked a team-low +/- of -26.
The LA Clippers gave all the momentum away before halftime, leading the Thunder to accelerate in the third quarter and win the game.
Once the LA Clippers notched a 16-point lead mid-second quarter, fans immediately concluded they were going to win and tie the season series. Unfortunately, they were mistaken, as the Thunder are the first seed in the Western Conference for a reason.
Oklahoma City returned to life and made it a four-point game going into halftime, foreshadowing a prominent third-quarter showcase. This occurred precisely as the Thunder scored 40 points out of the break. They were up 18 heading into the final frame, stamping a 22-point turnaround in just 12 minutes of action.
The Clippers’ top performer was Amir Coffey, one of their best three-point shooters. He showed up with confidence and composure and scored 26 points on an efficient 10-14 from the floor. Second-year stud Jordan Miller also made an effort, with 10 points, five assists, and three steals off the bench.
Nonetheless, the contributions made by Coffey and Miller were not enough, and the Clippers were sent home with a loss. They received little from their best player, making winning difficult on the road against a top-two team in the NBA.
That said, the Clippers return home to face the Atlanta Hawks for the first time this season. No matter what it takes, Lue needs a win, as the loss to Oklahoma City coerced them into the seventh seed.
