LA Clippers’ season in review through the All-Star Break
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October 22 – Clippers win season opener over the Lakers
In what was the most anticipated season opener in recent memory, the LA Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers started their season facing each other. Both teams had acquired superstar talent over the summer and were considered the top two teams in the West.
The Clippers entered the season without Paul George who was still recovering from shoulder surgery. That didn’t matter. Kawhi Leonard looked just as he did in the previous season’s playoffs, dropping a game-high 30 points. Lou Williams chipped in 21 off the bench and the Clips pulled off a ten point victory, 112-102.
November 16 – Paul George’s home debut in blowout of Atlanta
Paul George finally made his home debut on November 16 when the team hosted the Atlanta Hawks. What ensued was a near franchise-record 150 point explosion. George looked like he had missed almost no time, scoring 37 points. Lou Will added in 25 and Jerome Robinson scored 21. (Yes, you read that right.)
This performance came with both Kawhi Leonard and Patrick Beverley sitting out which makes it that much more impressive. The 150 points were the second-most scored in franchise history.
December 13 – Kawhi and PG erupt in Minnesota
This wasn’t so much a team win as much as it was Kawhi and PG showing just how dominant the two could be. In the 124-117 victory over the Timberwolves, the Clippers’ two stars combined for 88 points. It was George’s best performance of the season by far with him pouring in 46 points on 54% shooting including six made triples. Leonard’s 42 points and 11 rebounds were equally impressive.
Only one other player, Montrezl Harrell, scored in double-digits for the Clips but it didn’t matter. The Clippers’ duo showed exactly why the team paid such a huge price this summer to unite them.
December 25 – Chrismas win over the Lakers
The Clippers and Lakers’ second meeting of the season came in primetime on Christmas Day. With the Clippers leading the season series 1-0, many expected the “home” Lakers to even things out.
Kawhi Leonard had other plans.
This game was the first time all season the Clippers were completely healthy and they looked it. Kawhi scored 35 points, connecting on five three-pointers. Paul George and Montrezl Harrell followed suit with 17 and 18 points respectively.
The biggest play of the game though came from none other than Patrick Beverley who stripped LeBron James with less than five seconds just as he was going to attempt a game-tying three. The Clippers went up 2-0 on the season series.
January 24 – Kawhi triple-doubles in Miami
Following a horrible loss in Atlanta (more on that in the next slide), the LA Clippers went to Miami where the Heat had only lost one game all season. In need of a bounce-back victory without Paul George, the team delivered.
Kawhi Leonard earned his first career triple-double, putting up 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. Landry Shamet caught fire, adding in 22 points of his own. Four other players scored in double-digits for the Clippers and they showed they had the mental fortitude to get past a bad loss and play strong.
Now, for the not so fun ones.