The Clippers blowout the visting Charlotte Hornets123-88
Los Angeles Clippers #1 James Harden (G) is pulling up for a deep three-point shot against several Charlotte Hornets defenders. Photo by Deangelo Scruggs/TGSportstv1 March 16, 2025.
INGLEWOOD, CA The Los Angeles Clippers (38-30) steamrolled the Charlotte Hornets (17-50) 123-88 as they shape into playoff form and battle for playoff position.
James Harden led Los Angeles with 31 points on 9 of 15 shooting, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. Kawhi Leonard added 23 points on 9 of 16 shooting, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists and Ivica Zubac flirted with a triple-double with 17 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 assists(career high).
The Clippers have won three games in a row and six of their last seven. Kawhi Leonard spoke in the post-game about what have been the major factors to their recent success. “Obviously, you know James has been playing at a great level, Zu has been playing great individual basketball being efficient and you know Bogy being great as well making threes it's just been a collective group”.
In the first quarter, Los Angeles took a 15-13 lead with 4:28 left on the clock and they never looked back. The Clippers stretched their lead out to the largest which was 38 points in the final period.
Los Angeles shot 52% on 24 of 46 shooting from the field and shot 60% from three-point range going 6 of 10 in the first half. The Hornets struggled to make shots which led to their early deficit. Charlotte shot 34% from the field making only 18 of 52 attempts and shot an underwhelming 19% from behind the arc, making 4 of 21 in the first half.
The Hornets’ struggles continued in the second half from the three-point distance. Charlotte shot 16% from deep going 2 of 12. Their shooting from the field did slightly improve as they shot 45% on field goals, making 19 of 42 from the field.
Charlotte Hornets #1 Lamelo Ball (G) is releasing a shot inside the key against the Los Angeles Clippers #40 Ivica Zubac (C). Photo by Deangelo Scruggs/TGSportstv1 March 16, 2025.
Mark Williams and Lamelo Ball were the only Hornets to finish the game in double figures. Mark Williams finished the game with a double-double with 18 points and 15 rebounds. Lamelo Ball added 16 points.
The Clippers continued rolling throughout the second half. Los Angeles shot 44% from the field, making 21 of 47 attempts, and shot 43% from three-point distance, making 7 of 16.
The Clippers are now preparing for the next three games of their four-home game stand against all playoff teams. They will welcome the presumable #1 seed in the eastern conference the Cleveland Cavaliers who hold a record of 56-11 and are led by Head Coach Kenny Atkinson.
Head Coach TyronN Lue spoke about what his squad needs to do to be successful in that upcoming matchup. “We just have to prepare ourselves just to understand defensively, we got to be locked in. We can't give them easy three-point shots. We can't give Jared Allen Moi easy dunks and you know put backs on offensive rebounds and so everything we got to bring we got to bring for that game.”
The Clippers currently sit as the 8th seed in the jam-packed Western Conference as they try to get healthy and finish out the last 14 games of the regular season and hope to make it out of the play-in rounds.