INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Clippers showcased their resolve on Friday night, overcoming the Golden State Warriors 102-92 at the Intuit Dome, marking their third consecutive victory against their California rivals this season.
Leading the charge for the Clippers was Norman Powell, who scored 24 points, supported by James Harden’s 18 points and seven assists, and Ivica Zubac’s double-double consisting of 17 points and 11 rebounds. The win provides the Clippers with confidence as they await the season debut of All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard.
The Warriors came buoyed by Jonathan Kuminga’s exceptional performance, who scored a career-high 34 points off the bench, yet they struggled without their star player Stephen Curry, who was sidelined due to knee management, as well as Draymond Green, who missed the game with back issues. With their roster depleted, the Warriors fell to 3-12 over their last 15 games.
"We can never get comfortable… they’re 4-1 when Steph doesn’t play," Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said, emphasizing the depth and talent on the Warriors’ roster. Despite the Warriors’ struggles, they began the match with assertiveness, challenging the Clippers throughout the first half, making it clear they wouldn’t go down without a fight.
After trading leads early on, both teams ended the first half tight, with the Clippers narrowly leading 49-43. The match’s tempo changed dramatically when the Clippers unleashed intense offensive drives after the halftime break, creating separation from the Warriors. Their aggressive play included multiple dunks, particularly from Derrick Jones Jr., who recorded several exhilarating scores, igniting the crowd with his highlights.
During the third quarter, the Clippers efficiently executed their offense, moving the lead to as much as 21 points with precise shooting and confident player contributions, leaving them with a favorable 81-60 lead heading to the fourth quarter. Lue noted the importance of maintaining their composure: "We stuck together. Nobody was pointing fingers... we were able to calm down and figure out what they were doing with the press and their pressure and get the baskets when we needed it."
Reality soon struck, though, as the Warriors staged a notable comeback, fueled by Kuminga and Trayce Jackson-Davis. The Warriors trimmed the impressive lead down to just three points, creating palpable tension as the game neared its conclusion. The contest turned physical, with Harden receiving a hard foul on Brandin Podziemski, leading to technical fouls for both players—a moment where tempers flared among players, enlivening the fans.
Though the game saw its intensity rise, the Clippers managed to maintain their lead. Important contributions came from Norman Powell who fired back with a significant three-pointer after the Warriors closed the gap to 83-87, as the Clippers secured the win. They showcased their ability to manage the pressure from the Warriors and pave their way to victory.
Statistically, the Warriors finished the night shooting poorly from the floor at 37% but did out-rebound the Clippers 47-39, including 19 offensive boards. Coach Lue addressed the need to handle pressure effectively, lamenting the team’s 12 turnovers, which contributed to 25 points for the Warriors.
"I thought we got some good shots early, but we just didn’t handle their pressure..." said Lue, analyzing the difficulties faced by his squad to close the game. Despite the miscues, Lue expressed satisfaction with his team's resilience and determination during the match's tense moments: "It was big win for us; whatever way you look at it, I’ll just know it was a W."
Looking forward, the Clippers will take to the road, facing the New Orleans Pelicans for their next matchup, as they hope to build on this victory against the struggling Warriors, who will host the Phoenix Suns the following night. With the current standings of honorable mentions of both teams still affecting playoff aspirations, every win holds significant weight. Powell encapsulated the team’s mentality best stating, "We were able to come together and not let the mistakes deter us."
