The NBA, in more ways than one, is an animal kingdom. The strongest survive, the weakest are the prey.
The Clippers have been top predators for much of the season, feared but admittedly going through a rough patch since the All-Star break. Faced with the Washington Wizards, one of the weakest prey, the Clippers, however, tore them apart mercilessly, offering themselves a long-awaited feast.
“I thought it was really good,” head coach Tyronn Lue said. “PG, Kawhi and James…getting in rhythm, putting the ball in their spot and taking care of the basketball…that’s what we want to be if we want to be an elite team.”
The Clippers entered their Friday night game having lost three of their last four games – one of which came in heartbreaking fashion as they blew a 21-point lead against their crosstown rivals . Post-All-Star clips also had the fifth-worst defensive rating and their offensive rating dropped from third to 20th in the league.
But during the Friday night festivities in downtown Los Angeles, the home team began its chase as soon as the game began. They gave the Wizards no chance to run away with their lead early in the first quarter, as they dominated them in a 140-115 blowout victory.
Paul George, despite missing last week due to left knee soreness, put the team on his back to start the game. The silky scorer showed magic from the start, finishing the first quarter with 11 points on 5 of 6 shooting. He finished the game with 22 points and six rebounds.
PG-13 with some big ???? these last few nights W pic.twitter.com/GbJcc6D7C8
-LA Clippers (@LAClippers) March 2, 2024
George’s scoring showcase had everything the Clippers’ last three losses lacked. It was masterfully aggressive, determined yet fluid and, above all, exhilarating. For much of the game, the Clippers looked like the scary, star-studded team they were in December and January.
Harden took the stick straight from George’s hands and did it divinely. The former MVP turned back the clock in the second quarter, making four straight three-pointers en route to a 21-point quarter. He only missed two of his nine shot attempts.
“James, he plays the game the right way,” Lue said. “He takes what the defense gives him, and that’s what great players do. A slow start doesn’t deter them from being aggressive and doing what they do.
Behind George and Harden’s most spectacular exploits were the consistent performances of the rest of the team. Kawhi Leonard finished with 27 points and nine rebounds. Daniel Theis had a solid outing in the absence of Ivica Zubac, while Terance Mann had fun with a 12-point night on 6-of-7 shooting.
But the smiles and laughs at Russell Westbrook’s bobblehead night would end prematurely as Westbrook returned to the locker room after injuring his hand after trying to steal the ball from Jordan Poole. The team later announced that the veteran point guard suffered a broken left hand. He has played in 79 consecutive games since joining the team.
“I just feel bad for Russ right now,” Lue said. “You never want to see a player get injured…I don’t know yet if he needs surgery or anything, but he’s out right now, so I’m just trying to figure it out. “
In the animal kingdom that is the NBA, players get injured, championship hopes die, and dynasties end. The Clippers came out Friday with both reason to be joyful and worried. They put on a big, refreshing night but lost a vocal leader in Westbrook.
How the Clippers respond in Westbrook’s absence will determine whether they remain the hunters or become the hunted.
