The LA Clippers took home a massive win on Wednesday evening. Playing their third game in four nights and coming off an intense victory over the Western Conference-leading Golden State Warriors, the Clippers earned another significant win with their 104-93 defeat of the Orlando Magic.
In years past, beating the Magic may not have been considered such an accomplishment. But more recently, Orlando has become a consistent winner and is a tough out most nights. Throw in the fact that the Magic were riding a six-game winning streak headed into Intuit Dome, and this can easily be considered one of the best wins of the Clippers' season.
Even more impressive is the fact that LA was playing without their leading scorer in this one. A day before the contest, it was announced that Norman Powell would be out with a hamstring injury. Powell strained the hamstring during the win over the Warriors on Monday, and him being out of the lineup made many suspect the Clippers could be in for a loss.
Finding enough offense even without the sharp shooting of Powell was a major win for LA. Prior to tipoff on Wednesday, a cool moment occurred between Norman and the fanbase. On Norman Powell bobblehead night no less, the Clippers' leading scorer climbed up into the stands while wearing his street clothes and stood with fans on The Wall.
Norman Powell leading The Wall before tip-off on his bobble head night.
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) November 21, 2024
Fun moment with the fans. pic.twitter.com/wCEVBxx4MK
Powell sat with Clippers fans on The Wall
A video recorded just prior to tipoff showed Powell sitting right above the tunnel a few rows up from the floor, talking and cheering along with Clipper nation. The fans seemed to really get a kick out of Norman standing with them and helping lead them in a chant, given that he had no obligation to do so.
This speaks even more to the fan culture that Steve Ballmer is creating among the Clippers fanbase. For years, jokes ran wild about there not being any Clipper fans, and Ballmer seemed to take that personally.
With every measure that Ballmer has implemented at Intuit Dome since its opening, he has made it clear that he wants to grow and further legitimize Clipper nation. The more we see things like Norman Powell joining fans on The Wall, the more we will see that his vision is steadily coming to fruition.