The Los Angeles Clippers notched a significant victory against the Memphis Grizzlies with a 128-108 score on March 21, 2025, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The win marked the Clippers' fifth consecutive victory and improved their record to 40-30 for the season.
James Harden led the Clippers with an impressive performance, scoring 30 points and dishing out nine assists, while Kawhi Leonard contributed 23 points and ten rebounds. The Clippers also benefitted from strong performances off the bench, with Ivica Zubac scoring 17 points and grabbing ten rebounds, and Bogdan Bogdanovic adding 16 points.
Despite being without their head coach Tyronn Lue, who missed the game due to back discomfort, the Clippers showcased their depth and resilience. Assistant coach Brian Shaw stepped in, effectively guiding the team through the match. Los Angeles also extended their home winning streak to eight games with the victory.
On the other hand, the Grizzlies, who are still competing despite their challenges, fell to a disappointing 43-28 overall record. Star guard Ja Morant was absent for the fourth game in a row due to shoulder and hamstring injuries, and the team struggled to adjust without him once again.
The Grizzlies took an early lead into the halftime, outscoring the Clippers 66-60, primarily by capitalizing on the Clippers' turnovers and scoring 21 points off them. Memphis built a six-point cushion through a strong first half, with Jaren Jackson Jr. scoring 23 points and Santi Aldama adding 16. However, their initial advantage dwindled quickly in the third quarter.
In a stunning turnaround, the Clippers outscored the Grizzlies 36-16 during the third quarter, highlighted by a 14-3 stretch that allowed them to seize control. Harden scored 12 points alone in the third quarter, fueling the Clippers' surge and allowing them to take an 82-71 lead by the period’s end.
Desmond Bane returned for Memphis, scoring 10 points on 3-of-7 shooting, but it was not enough to halt the Clippers’ momentum. The Grizzlies continued their disappointing performance away from home, now standing at 0-3 at the start of this five-game road trip.
Furthermore, despite Edey, a rookie center who had been a starter for most of the season, coming off the bench, he was noticeable but not impactful, scoring only 8 points in 16:57 minutes. His scoring mostly came in the first half, and he missed several opportunities in the second half, signaling his need for improvement as the Grizzlies seek answers while Morant remains sidelined.
Postgame, Harden expressed pride in the team's effort, stating the importance of keeping momentum as the playoffs approach. "We got to know how to play together and how to use each other's strengths," Harden said.
This loss for Memphis, while frustrating, keeps them in fifth place in the Western Conference standings, and they still have time to regroup before the playoffs commence.
As the regular season continues, both teams are looking to solidify their playoff positioning and navigate the final stretch. The Clippers, buoyed by their recent success, will aim to extend their streak while the Grizzlies will look to bounce back as they face their next opponent.
