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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: D’Angelo Russell #0 of the Golden State Warriors tries to drive between Maurice Harkless #8 and JaMychal Green #4 of the LA Clippers at Chase Center on October 24, 2019, in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 24: D’Angelo Russell #0 of the Golden State Warriors tries to drive between Maurice Harkless #8 and JaMychal Green #4 of the LA Clippers at Chase Center on October 24, 2019, in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

LA’s lesser transactions pay off

When the LA Clippers announced that they had signed Patrick Patterson over the summer, few fans could honestly say that they were excited. The 30-year-old forward had just finished up a second unimpressive season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and it wasn’t immediately obvious what his role with the team would be.

A lot of those same fans were eating their words during LA’s win over the Warriors.

Patterson went off for 20 points Thursday night, connecting on six of his 10 attempts from three-point range — a new career-high in three-point field-goals made in a single game. His plus/minus rating of +30 was also the highest recorded in the game.

The stretch forward has looked solid in each of his first two games with LA, averaging 12.0 points and 3.0 rebounds per game while shooting a blistering 7-13 from beyond the arc. Those numbers won’t keep up (especially once Paul George makes his return), but his ability to fill in at the power forward slot and play good basketball on both ends of the floor has been huge so far.

Patterson isn’t the only offseason acquisition that’s been playing well, either. Maurice Harkless made a strong impression against the Lakers earlier this week, and he followed that performance up with another solid effort against Golden State, going for 10 points, two rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block in 24 minutes.

Both Harkless and Patterson have offered starting-caliber contributions to this point, and if they can continue to be efficient on both ends of the floor once George returns, they could find themselves starting in lengthier lineups.

We’ve yet to see Rodney McGruder make his regular-season debut, and there’s a chance we won’t for a while. Per The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, Doc Rivers said the two-way wing “isn’t close” to making his return after suffering an ankle sprain in practice prior to Tuesday’s opener.

Once he’s back, he should fit in nicely with the bench and make similar contributions to the ones Patterson and Harkless have — especially if he can get his three-point shot going.

Next. Paul George expected to return in three weeks. dark

The LA Clippers will return to action this Saturday against the Phoenix Suns, where they’ll look to improve to 3-0 to begin the season. After that, they’ll return to STAPLES Center for a Monday night meeting with the Charlotte Hornets.

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