INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- It has been an emotional week for the Los Angeles Clippers. A murky game in Denver amidst the height of the wildfires in Los Angeles, a postponement on Saturday against the Hornets, and now their first game back at home.
The team came out in the first half looking like there was some residual rust from the 5 days off, down 48-43 at the half, with the offense struggling.
Then, the “pre-Kawhi” big three that has carried the Clippers all season, stepped up again.
Norm Powell poured in 29 points on 12/17 shooting and 5/8 from 3-point range, finally getting back to his elite efficiency after a few down games.
IT'S A NORM SLAM 😳 pic.twitter.com/weGzVkM2m8
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) January 14, 2025
James Harden also found his offensive stroke again, going 6/10 from 3 with 11 assists in an efficient double-double.
JAMES HARDEN BUZZER BEATER THREE 🚨😱 pic.twitter.com/QHtnrRERzT
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) January 14, 2025
The standout performance, however, was Ivica Zubac, who notched his second career 20-20 game with 21 points and 20 rebounds with 2 blocks. Zubac has been a double-double machine, but he was absolutely everywhere, and looked more spry after the added days off.
BIG ZU with the SLAM ‼️ pic.twitter.com/IWmA282uba
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) January 14, 2025
In general, the Clipper had the bounce that we saw in October, November and December.
Kawhi Leonard met his 21 minute restriction and only provided 6 points, however he still looks as if it will be some time before he gets back to the All-NBA player the fans know.
Derrick Jones Jr. was fantastic off the bench as well, and played through a hand injury scare late in the game.
Here is the full sequence after Derrick Jones Jr. hurt his hand.
— Grant Money Mona (@Gmona48) January 14, 2025
Made the free throw. Got a stop. Tried to convince T Lue to stay in. Back to the locker room. 👇 pic.twitter.com/XDuvMoWG4H
The team says that he is fine and coach Tyronn Lue said that they will re-evaluate him on Tuesday, but he did have to exit the game and head back to the locker room.
Another surprise was the DNP-CD that Terance Mann received. Mann was the odd man out of the rotation, as he did not enter the game at all. Coach Lue did say that he talked to Mann before the game to discuss the situation however.
Although Tyler Herro did notch 32 points and 11 rebounds, the Clippers held the now 20-18 Miami Heat to under 100 points, with no players scoring over 20 points other than Herro.
The Clippers are now 21-17 and will take on the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday. Tipoff is set for 7:30 PM PT at Intuit Dome.
