Kawhi Leonard scores 32 as Clippers beat Thunder without George

Kawhi Leonard In their first game since losing Paul George to a knee injury, the Los Angeles Clippers upset the Oklahoma City Thunder 127-105 on Thursday night, thanks in large part to Kawhi Leonard 32 points on 15 shots.

Since late January, it was the Clippers’ first lopsided victory.

Tyronn Lue, the head coach, remarked, “This was a really good win for us.” “We required it,”

The night before, George suffered a right knee injury in the last seconds of a 101-100 defeat to the Thunder. In two to three weeks, he will undergo a new evaluation, which would probably prevent him from playing the rest of the regular season, which finishes on April 9.

Bones Hyland, who led the bench in scoring with 16 points in his first game action since March 3, remarked, “We got to handle our business on the floor and keep tallying wins for PG.”

To end the third quarter, the Clippers went on a 27-12 run, including 10 straight, to take a 92-80 lead into the fourth.

Between the conclusion of the third and the beginning of the fourth, they made seven straight three-pointers, with Nicolas Batum and Hyland making three apiece. The other three-pointer by Kawhi Leonard increased the Clippers’ advantage to 101-85.

The Clippers continued their hot shooting, making three more 3-pointers in a row, the last of which was made by Russell Westbrook and increased their advantage to 114-89. In the fourth, they outscored the Thunder 35-25.

NBA

With four 3-pointers apiece from Batum and Hyland, Los Angeles shot 49% from beyond the arc.

For the Clippers, Westbrook scored 24 points and seven assists.

We played quite quickly, according to Westbrook. played quickly, particularly in the second half.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points to lead the Thunder. Jalen Williams scored 16 while Josh Giddey added 18 more.

Kawhi Leonard remarked of former Clipper Gilgeous-Alexander, “He was still effective.” All we could do was make things more difficult for him.

By a score of 51-30, the Clippers’ bench outscored the Thunder’s.

Kawhi Leonard remarked, “They did a terrific job coming in and creating enthusiasm.

TIP-INS

Thunder: In the paint, they outscored the Clippers 46-38.

Westbrook scored 12 points for the Clippers in the second quarter, and Eric Gordon replaced George in the starting lineup. For the first time in three games this season, the Thunder were defeated.

NEXT UP

Thunder: Finish a back-to-back by remaining in Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Saturday.

On Saturday, the Clippers host the New Orleans Pelicans.

Clippers Resilience

The Clippers’ resilience was on full display in this game as they overcame the absence of Paul George, who is one of their leading scorers and a key player on the team. The Clippers had to rely on their depth and their ability to play as a team to secure the win. Several players stepped up in George’s absence, including Reggie Jackson, who scored 17 points and made some crucial shots down the stretch.

First Half Action

In the first half, the Thunder were able to keep the game close, and they even took the lead at times. However, Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers were able to pull ahead in the second quarter and took a 53-46 lead into halftime. Kawhi Leonard led the way for the Clippers with 20 points in the first half.

Second Half Surge

The Thunder made a push in the third quarter, and they were able to tie the game at 68-68. However, the Clippers responded with a 13-2 run to take control of the game. Kawhi Leonard continued to dominate, scoring 12 points in the third quarter alone.

In the fourth quarter, the Thunder were able to cut the lead to five points with just over two minutes left in the game. However, the Clippers were able to hold off the Thunder’s comeback attempt and secure the victory.

Impact of George’s Injury

The Clippers were without Paul George due to a foot injury, but they were still able to secure the win. George has been an important player for the Clippers this season, averaging 23.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game. His absence was felt on the defensive end of the court, but Leonard and the Clippers were able to step up and make up for his absence.

Conclusion

The Clippers’ victory over the Thunder without Paul George is a testament to their depth and resilience as a team. Kawhi Leonard once again proved why he is one of the best players in the league with a dominant performance. The Clippers will be hoping to build on this win and continue their push for the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Thunder will be looking to bounce back from this defeat and finish the season on a high.