OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – After their third game on the road, the San Diego Clippers (5-8) took another loss, this time to the Oklahoma City Blue (5-7) 103-96 at the Paycom Center.
The Clippers were short handed once more, without all their main rotation players – Trentyn Flowers, Cam Christie, Braxton Key, and two-way player Jordan Miller. Yet surprisingly, in the starting lineup was Kai Jones.
He ended up finishing with 25 points and 13 rebounds, good for his first double-double of the season.
Keyshawn Bryant also had a game for himself, recording 25 points, 8 rebounds and 5 blocks. All career-highs for Bryant.
As seen in the last few nights, the Clippers fell to an early first quarter deficit – not as bad as the Austin series, but nonetheless, down 29-21 headed into the second. They were able to win the second quarter and keep it close, 54-50.
The second half however, and more specifically the third quarter, where they were outscored by 6, meant they had a double-digit climb in the last 12 minutes. They were unable to complete it and lost.
Kevion Nolan also contributed a career-high night for the Clippers with 17 points and 6 assists.
Oklahoma City was led by Javonte Cooke, with 27 points and 10 rebounds.
It was another rough shooting night for San Diego, who shot 31-74 from the field (41.9%) and 8-29 on 3 pointers (27.6%). What they did do well, however, was shots from the free-throw line. They went 14-15 from the stripe, one short of their regular season record on made free throws.
The Clippers return home to play the Santa Cruz Warriors on January 27. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. and the game will be played at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside.