Clippers Surge Past Spurs, Join 4-Way Tie for 4th in West with Commanding 122-117 Win
The playoff heat is officially on in the Western Conference. On Tuesday night in Inglewood, California, the Los Angeles Clippers stepped up without superstar Kawhi Leonard to pull off a gritty 122-117 win over the San Antonio Spurs. It was a critical victory that launched the Clippers into a dramatic four-way tie for the fourth seed in the West with just three games left in the regular season.
Zubac Dominates with Rare 20-20 Performance
At the heart of the action was Ivica Zubac, who delivered one of the most commanding performances of his career. The big man scored 24 points, grabbed 20 rebounds, and added five assists, marking his fourth 20-20 game of the season. With Kawhi Leonard resting for injury management, Zubac anchored both ends of the court, powering the Clippers past a feisty Spurs squad.
Zubac’s relentless presence in the paint set the tone early and gave the Clippers the stability they needed during a first half that lacked offensive rhythm.
James Harden Orchestrates the Offense
Not to be overshadowed, James Harden played maestro with 21 points and 12 assists, keeping the offense flowing and setting up clutch plays down the stretch. Harden’s ability to balance scoring with playmaking proved crucial, especially in a game where the Clippers were without one of their primary offensive weapons.
Supporting Cast Rises in Leonard’s Absence
Norman Powell was electric off the bench, leading the team with 25 points, while Derrick Jones Jr. added 18 and Bogdan Bogdanovic contributed 19. Their timely shooting helped the Clippers recover from a shaky first half and explode in the third quarter, where they outscored the Spurs 37-26 to seize control.
Jones, in particular, shined during that stretch, dropping 10 points in the third to give the Clippers breathing room.
Spurs Show Fight, But Fall Short
Despite being shorthanded and out of playoff contention, the Spurs didn’t go down without a fight. Harrison Barnes led the way with 24 points, while rookie Stephon Castle posted 19 points and 8 assists, showcasing flashes of potential for the franchise’s future. But the absence of key stars like Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, and Jeremy Sochan proved too much to overcome.
Clippers' Home Dominance Continues
The victory improves the Clippers’ record to 29-11 in their new arena, an impressive feat considering their 0-4 start at the venue. Only three other teams — the Cavs, Thunder, and Lakers — have reached the 30-win mark at home this season.
With the playoff race boiling over, the Clippers have now gone 15-3 since March 5, peaking at just the right time.
Looking Ahead: Rockets Up Next
Los Angeles wraps up their home schedule on Wednesday night against the Houston Rockets. With the West standings in a logjam, every game could make or break home-court advantage in the playoffs. Kawhi Leonard’s return could provide a huge boost as the Clippers aim to finish strong.
🏀 Final Thoughts
The Clippers proved once again they’re built for the long haul, even when key players are sidelined. With veteran leadership, versatile scoring, and Zubac anchoring the paint, this team could be a dark horse threat in the postseason.
As the playoffs draw near, one thing’s for certain — the Western Conference chaos is far from over, and the Clippers are right in the thick of it.
0 Comments