The Clippers come from behind to beat the Warriors in a thriller 113-112
Los Angeles Clippers #2 Kawhi Leonard (SF) is being guarded by Golden State Warriors #11 Klay Thompson (SG) and #30 Stephen Curry (SG). Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1
LOS ANGELES, CA - Paul George scored 25 points, James Harden 21 points, Kawhi Leonard 20 points, and Russell Westbrook and Norman Powell both with 12 points helped the Los Angeles Clippers (9-10) come from behind to beat the Golden State Warriors (9-11) at the Crypto.com Arena 113-112.
The Clippers never stopped fighting, trailing as much as 22-point to come from behind for a much-needed win, and George walked off the floor pounding his chest and high-fiving Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.
Golden State was without Andrew Wiggins, Chris Paul, and Gary Payton II due to injuries and led 70-48 with 11:45 left in the third quarter but were outscored 65-42 the rest of the way.
"This was a gutsy win for us," Clippers coach Ty Lue said. "We needed to win like this just to keep fighting, keep scraping, keep competing and winning a big game like this."
Golden State Warriors #30 Stepen Curry (SG) pulling up for a three-pointer at the top of the key. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.
The Clippers traded for Harden on Oct. 30 and looked like they were starting to figure things out, but at the moment, they were about to lose two straight to the Warriors after falling in San Francisco on Thursday.
Los Angeles had already lost to the Denver Nuggets on Monday, but what a way to grind out a much-needed victory to help get things turned around.
Moody opened the third quarter with a three-pointer to put Golden State up by 22, and the Warriors still held a comfortable lead at 85-68 with 5:28 remaining in the period.
The Clippers were on fire, scoring 19 points to make it a two-point game, 87-85, capped off by a jump shot by Daniel Theis.
The Warriors finally scored after Klay Thompson knocked down a three-pointer in transition to give the Warriors a 92-85 edge heading into the fourth.
Los Angeles Clippers #13 Paul George (F) pulling up for his game winning three-point shot. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.
The Clippers would trial 98-93 in the fourth quarter after George made a jump shot from the right side of the basket. The Warriors would go up 102-97 with a driving layup by Draymond Green with 5:22 left in the game.
Leonard got a pass from George and knocked down a jump shot that had the Clippers trailing 112-110 with 35.1 seconds left in the game.
George would make a three-pointer with nine seconds remaining, giving the Clippers their first lead of the game, and held on for the 113-112 win over the Warriors.
Curry led Golden State in scoring with 22 points and eleven assists, Green and Moody, each with 21 points, and Thompson with 17 points.