The Clippers’ five-game win streak snapped
Los Angeles Clippers #2 Kawhi Leonard (F) is being guarded by OKC Thunder #9 Alex Caruso (SG) at midcourt. Photo by Antoine Belote/TGSportstv1 March 23, 2025.
LOS ANGELES, CA - Head coach Tyronn Lue returned from being sidelined due to back pain as the Los Angeles Clippers(40-31) had their five-game win streak snapped by the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder(59-12) in a close 103-101 matchup.
Oklahoma City came into the game with the NBA’s best record and extended their current win streak to six games on the back of their MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who had 26 points and 8 assists.
Gilgeous-Alexanders, the league’s leading scorer didn’t come by his 26 points easily though. The Clippers defense made it difficult for him as he shot his season’s worst 24% from the field on 7 of 29 attempts.
“We did a good job on Shai like I said of just making him play in traffic you know not to allow him to see seams and get to his spots. When we got beat I thought the next defender was there to help his teammate. You know that's the best I've seen us defend him since I've been here you know so he's a tough cover, MVP for a reason and we just want to try to give him different looks and keep him under the duress and I thought we did a good job with that.” Lue said postgame when commenting on his team’s defense.
Oklahoma City Thunder #2 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG) is driving to the basket for a layup as his hot is being contested by the Los Angeles Clippers #55 Derrick Jones Jr. (SF). Photo by Antoine Belote/TGSportstv1 March 23, 2025
Kawhi Leonard recorded his second consecutive double-double as he had a 25-point and 10-rebound performance to lead the Clippers. James Harden put up 17 and 8 assists and Ivica Zubac contributed 15 points and 11 rebounds.
A well-rounded offensive effort fueled the Clippers in the first period. They capped the quarter with a decisive 12-4 run, securing a 34-24 lead heading into the second.
In the second period, the tables turned quickly. The Thunder opened the quarter with a 15-2 run that allowed them to take control. OKC dominated the period as they finished with a 33-17 scoring advantage over the Clippers and took a 57-51 lead into halftime.
The Clippers' 40% field goal (18-of-44) and 28% three-point (4-of-14) percentages were outmatched by Oklahoma City's 45% field goal (22-of-48) and 35% three-point (7-of-20) shooting in the first half.
In the third period, the Clippers locked back in on the defensive end and held the Thunder to 30% shooting from the field (8-of-26). Los Angeles was able to narrow the deficit to as little as one point but ultimately trailed 81-77 at the end of the third quarter.
A tightly contested fourth quarter saw both teams exchanging leads, with four lead changes throughout the period.
With 1:54 remaining Alex Caruso’s hit the go-ahead three-pointer that put the Thunder up 100-99. The Clippers had an opportunity to take the lead in the closing seconds but due to poor execution weren’t able to get a good look at the basket.
“Even in the end of the fourth, I think we had two or three turnovers at the end but we fought hard uh you know we were in the game,” Kawhi Leonard said when reflecting on the narrow defeat.
The Clippers will now head to New York as they begin a four-game road trip against the Knicks, Nets, Cavaliers, and Magic.