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What we learned from the LA Clippers’ crushing win over Warriors

By Garrett Chorpenning

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: Kawhi Leonard #2 and Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers smile while sitting on the bench during their game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on October 24, 2019 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: Kawhi Leonard #2 and Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers smile while sitting on the bench during their game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on October 24, 2019 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 24: Kawhi Leonard #2 and Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers smile while sitting on the bench during their game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on October 24, 2019, in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 24: Kawhi Leonard #2 and Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers smile while sitting on the bench during their game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on October 24, 2019, in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

The LA Clippers spoiled the Golden State Warriors’ arena opening Thursday night with a dominant 141-122 victory. Here are three important takeaways.

Over the past several years, the LA Clippers haven’t had much luck against the Golden State Warriors. Not including the postseason, the Clippers had dropped 17 of their last 20 games to their division rivals dating back to the 2014-2015 season.

They didn’t seem to care much about history in their 141-122 drubbing of the Warriors Thursday night. And no, the game was not as close as the score shows.

Right from the start, the Clippers looked to be the more talented team on the floor. They opened things up on a 14-0 run, and that was about as close as the Warriors would get all night. LA never trailed and saw their lead climb as high as 31 in the third quarter.

Once again, Kawhi Leonard was key for the Clippers. Just a few nights after dropping 30 points on the Los Angeles Lakers in LA’s regular-season opener, Leonard went for 21 points, five rebounds and a career-high nine assists in just over 21 minutes of action.

Lou Williams was LA’s leading scorer, going for 22 points off the bench in 29 minutes. The rest of the Clipper bench combined for 46 points, bringing their total up to 68 for the night — eight points higher than the number they put up against the Lakers earlier this week.

Clearly, a lot went right for the Clippers. Their 141 points scored were the most that a Steve Kerr-coached Warriors team has allowed to date. That said, there were several areas in which the Clippers could have looked better.

LA lost the rebounding battle 42-39 and gave up 15 offensive rebounds against a Warriors team that doesn’t necessarily have the most skilled group of bigs. Kevon Looney recorded five of those offensive boards in 10 minutes.

The Clippers also recorded 17 turnovers to the Warriors’ 13, which led to Golden State pouring in 25 points in transition on 15 shot attempts. They didn’t always look engaged during the first half, but that issue seemed to mostly correct itself in the second.

It’s very early in the season though, and those faults will be harder to find as the Clippers progress throughout the year. For now, let’s focus on what went right for LA as we dive into our three takeaways.

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