Glancing at the statistics and advanced metrics, then using the drawing board to implement strategies to improve, are among the key strategies head coaches follow, especially early in the year. In a press conference, Tyronn Lue mentioned the LA Clippers’ defensive rating in the first quarter, compared to the rest of the game, ultimately sharing that the team’s biggest weakness needs development behind the scenes.
Tyronn Lue, on the team’s defensive issues early in games: “The first quarter, like the first seven minutes of every game in the first quarter, we’re, like, a 155.0 Defensive Rating. And then from that point on, we’re, like, second in the league. ...” pic.twitter.com/TcedTNM3gN
— Justin Russo (@FlyByKnite) November 1, 2025
Moreover, the Clippers have always been a slow-starting team. They are a championship contender, nonetheless, but they often take a while to show it on a nightly basis, as their rotation finds it easier to use minutes in the first quarter to get their legs and jumpshot comfortable.
Unfortunately, opponents are not going to wait for the Clippers to make the game competitive. They will try to be aggressive from the jump and take advantage of LA from their weak spot.
Thus, Lue has a noticeable, crystal-clear improvement to make, and it will immediately eliminate the Clippers’ tendency to start games ice-cold.
Tyronn Lue may have to take the next step with the starting lineup
Throughout the pre-game routine, on the sidelines, and primarily in timeouts, Tyronn Lue is doing his job by repeatedly urging the importance of playing effective defense for all 48 minutes. Their identity is not as strong if players are only committed to being elite for a little over three quarters, and that is a trend that has been spotted for five games straight.
Furthermore, Lue discovered from the defensive ratings that the LA Clippers’ defense is in the top three after the first seven minutes of the first quarter. But, throughout those seven, LA is at 155, which is atrocious in every sense.
If it has been five games, and there has been no change, or even a sign that something different will inevitably come about, then Lue must make a tweak in the starting lineup. This means one or both of Bradley Beal and Derrick Jones Jr. will be the first to adjust.
Yet, Jones Jr. should stay where he is by any means necessary. He has been the Clippers’ best role player to start the year, with phenomenal defense and efficient offense in each of LA’s wins and losses.
This suggests that, for a few games, Lue should switch Beal out for Kris Dunn, just to see if the defense will be top-notch from tip-off, which it likely will, considering he is the Clippers’ best perimeter defender.