CHICAGO -- It took a while but the Clippers recorded their first post all-star break win and Wednesday night’s 122-117 win against the Bulls in Chicago was the best the Clippers have played in a few weeks.
Riding a three-game losing streak after the All-Star break, this one was almost considered a must-win by a lot of standards.
The Western Conference playoff picture is getting tighter and teams are starting to surge, so every game is crucial from here on out.
Well, James Harden’s 30 points and 7 three-pointers certainly helped. Harden was at his best again on Wednesday, where he saw his running mate Kawhi Leonard return after a two game absence due to left foot soreness.
A dagger three with 14 seconds left sealed the deal for the Clippers against a feisty Bulls team that is fighting for a Play-In spot.
JAMES HARDEN WITH HIS 7TH (!!!) THREEEEE!!! pic.twitter.com/P5JUm3D4po
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) February 27, 2025
With Leonard, it has been a rollercoaster of a return to play for him this season, but he looked healthy and spry in Chicago. He tallied 17 points and 4 steals including 3-5 from three. Alongside Harden, Kawhi and the Clippers needed all hands on deck for another game without Norman Powell, who missed his fourth straight game due to left knee tendinopathy.
KL2⃣ for 3⃣ pic.twitter.com/eQ9Q202ipw
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) February 27, 2025
Derrick Jones Jr. was fantastic, with 16 points on 6-9 shooting, Amir Coffey had a great game off the bench with 20 points, and Bogdan Bogdanovic finally broke out of his slump.
Bogi shot 5-7 from the field and 4-5 from three with 14 points, finally showing his potential of what he means to the Clippers post trade deadline.
BIG BOGI BUCKET 👌👌👌👌 pic.twitter.com/v03iOfuGNA
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) February 27, 2025
The bench gave a massive boost, with Ben Simmons having an all-around game. When Simmons does not try to do too much and stays within himself, he is a very underrated role player. On Wednesday night, his abilities were on display, tallying 6 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists in only 18 minutes.
Ben Simmons got 'em hooked 👀🪝 pic.twitter.com/AE39M2fVN8
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) February 27, 2025
That version of Simmons along with the sharpshooting of Bogdanovic is what the front office had envisioned when they brought the two along over the past month.
With Powell still on a day-to-day designation, the team could be getting fully healthy for a crucial weekend against the Lakers.
The first of two against the team across the city at Crypto.com Arena is on Friday. Tipoff is set for 7:00 PM PST.
