The LA Clippers crashed into reality with Tuesday night’s 98–79 blowout defeat to the Warriors. It was not a fluke or a product of bad luck, but a reflection of everything both right and wrong with this team.
Golden State looked like a contender again: smart, cohesive, and energized by a blend of veteran precision and youthful legs. The Clippers, on the other hand, looked every bit their age. Their assist leader on the night was rookie center Yanic Konan Niederhäuser, who played four minutes in garbage time and somehow led the team with two assists. It was the fewest points the Clippers have scored in four years, which perfectly encapsulates their offensive stagnation.
There is no need for panic, Golden State’s resurgence is real, but the loss illuminated the Clippers’ biggest weakness: they simply do not have the energy or pace to survive when the offense grinds to a halt. The ball stopped moving, the spacing vanished, and what remained was a disjointed team.
The Clippers' superstars must show up
James Harden remains the one stabilizing force in the LA Clippers’ chaos. He was the only reason the game did not spiral out of control in the first quarter, and the reason they briefly took the lead in the second. His poise, shot-making, and orchestration continue to be the engine that keeps this offense functional.
But Kawhi Leonard’s uneven performance has become harder to ignore. When he is hitting shots, he looks like the silent assassin of old; when he is not, his impact vanishes into the background. His deliberate, isolation-heavy style can slow the entire team’s flow, and when he is not converting, the offense feels stuck in quicksand.
It is not just about shots, it is about presence. Leonard's never been a vocal leader, nor a natural offensive organizer. He is a no-pun-intended robotic player who is a great iso player. The problem? The Clippers’ current system does not appear to be built around his strengths or anyone’s, except, really, Ivica Zubac, for that matter. For $50 million a year, a half-engaged star cannot be the standard, even if the responsibility does not fall solely on him.
The supporting cast has yet to find its rhythm
Tyronn Lue’s rotations remain a work in progress, and this was one of those experimental games that exposed the margins of the roster. The bench unit, particularly Chris Paul and Bojan Bogdanović, looked completely out of sync. Paul continues to struggle against physical defenders as his age is showing tremendously, and Bogdanović’s form looks far from game-ready.
Ivica Zubac, meanwhile, is in a slump that is testing everyone’s patience. His decision-making has been erratic, and his defensive positioning has lagged. While John Collins and Kris Dunn have shown flashes of energy, the LA Clippers desperately need a defined role for Bradley Beal. Shifting Beal to the second unit is the solution. His shot creation could bring balance to the Paul-led bench groups that currently sputter without a go-to scorer.
The Golden State Warriors’ youth, players like Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and Brandin Podziemski, highlighted what the Clippers lack: fresh legs and developmental energy. This is not something that can be fixed overnight, and it underscores the razor-thin line this roster walks every game.
A Championship Window That’s Starting to Creak
Five games into the season with a 3-2 record, it is clear this LA Clippers team still has the potential, but they are running out of time to execute it.
The Clippers are built to win now, not later. Every star, every trade, every contract has been about seizing the present moment. But the present is slipping. On a positive note, Paul George is coming sometime this season. If they can stay healthy, settle on the right rotations, and reestablish their offensive rhythm, this team still has the talent to hang with anyone in the league.
The problem? Father Time does not wait for anyone, especially not for a team that has fallen short of expectations every year so far.
The Clippers still have the tools to win it all, but the margin for error has never been thinner. Tuesday’s blowout was a warning sign. James Harden cannot do it alone, Kawhi Leonard cannot keep disappearing, and Tyronn Lue cannot keep experimenting forever.
This season is not about discovering who they are, it is about proving they can still be what they once promised to be and get over the hump. The talent is there. The time? Not so much.