Darian Vaziri here, the host of the daily Locked On Clippers podcast, with your daily Locked On Clippers newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Clippers and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
How The LA Clippers Lost Their First Road Game
Nov 11, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue reacts after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images|Alonzo Adams/Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Clippers’ Road Struggles: Turnovers and Free Throws Costly in Loss to Thunder
The Los Angeles Clippers faced a tough challenge on the road against the Oklahoma City Thunder, resulting in a narrow 134-128 defeat. The Clippers had opportunities to secure a win but were ultimately undone by turnovers and missed free throws yet again.
Turnovers and Defensive Pressure
The Thunder’s defensive ball pressure and versatility were significant factors in the Clippers’ struggles. With Jalen Williams stepping in at small-ball center, Oklahoma City applied relentless ball pressure, disrupting the Clippers’ offensive flow. The Thunder’s young, energetic defenders made life difficult for our guards, leading to 24 turnovers. This aggressive defense forced us into mistakes, particularly when trying to feed Ivica Zubac in the post. Zubac faced double teams and struggled to pass out of them, contributing to the turnover woes. He had all four of his turnovers in the first half.
Our inability to handle the Thunder’s pressure was evident as they capitalized on our mistakes, scoring 32 points off turnovers. Despite shooting an impressive 55% from the field and 54% from beyond the arc, these turnovers proved costly. The Thunder’s ability to force us into errors and capitalize on them was a key reason for their victory.
Free Throw Struggles
While we attempted more free throws than the Thunder, our accuracy was lacking. We converted only 69% of our free throws, compared to the Thunder’s impressive 96%. This difference in free throw shooting was a decisive factor in the outcome. Despite shooting better from the field and three-point range, our inability to capitalize on free throw opportunities left us vulnerable.
James Harden’s performance was a mixed bag. While he contributed with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists, his shooting struggles continued. Harden’s field goal percentage has been a concern, and his five turnovers added to the team’s woes. His role as the primary playmaker is crucial, but the turnovers and shooting inefficiencies need addressing.
Despite the loss, there were positives to take away. Derrick Jones Jr. had a standout performance, showcasing his three-point shooting and defensive prowess. Zubac, despite early turnovers, finished strong with 22 points and 14 rebounds. The team’s resilience in cutting a 20-point deficit to just two points demonstrated their fighting spirit.
Looking ahead, the Clippers must focus on reducing turnovers and improving free throw shooting. These areas have been recurring issues, and addressing them will be vital for future success. The Thunder may have been the better team on this occasion, but with adjustments, the Clippers can bounce back stronger.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Clippers’ performance, tune into the Locked On Clippers podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Clippers Podcast:
- Analysis of James Harden’s recent performances and shooting struggles
- The impact of missing Kawhi Leonard on the team’s dynamics
- Evaluating the defensive strategies employed by the Thunder
- A closer look at Derrick Jones Jr.'s contributions on both ends of the floor
- Discussion on the Clippers’ rotation and potential adjustments moving forward
The second annual NBA In-Season Tournament/much catchier ‘NBA Cup’ begins tonight, kicking off roughly a month of tournament games that fall on Tuesdays and Fridays. Then, we get into the quarterfinals and conference semifinals, the rules of which I am still not 100% clear on and am not ashamed to admit.
The newness of the Cup is what makes people skeptical of it. It’s what made me skeptical of it last season. It’s difficult to introduce new things into competitive ecosystems that seem largely “set”, which is why it happens rarely. My skepticism of the tournament came from the need to gameify what is already a game, but then I thought about how often the “product” of the NBA (e.g. basketball) gets complained about and realized the league was trying something. Trying something different versus just complaining about what already exists for the sake of griping is also rare.
Part of the fun of the tournament in its current, very green iteration, is its messiness. Last season, athletes were clear about how they, too, were stumped on the rules. How did the point system work? What were the knockout rules? Why were the custom courts so garish? But for the most part, players leaned into it. Did the Lakers lean a little too hard into it by hanging the In-Season Tournament banner in the rafters? Absolutely. But these are Tuesday night games in November — nothing about them should be sacrosanct.
A genuine lift I noticed and liked about last season’s tournament, and my real point of defense, is how these games operated as additional runway for a handful of teams on the verge. The In-Season Tournament was where we started to see the Pacers flourish and use the breakneck speed that went on to become a critical component of their entirely unique offense. The Pelicans also treated the tournament as something different, approaching the games like an escape from the early season injury woes that derailed them (unfortunately in a very cruel deja vu, we’re seeing the same thing this season). There’s going to be more emerging teams and play styles showing themselves this time around.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Preview The Clippers face the Rockets tomorrow before playing them again on Friday, Nov. 15 for the NBA Cup. Check out the game preview.
Injury The NBA has a ‘missing stars’ problem with injuries piling up faster than normal. (Yahoo! Sports)
Rumor Did Giannis Antetokounmpo’s fake handshake prank launch a new NBA rivalry?
Preview The tiny town and legendary 1980s NBA team that built NBA Draft phenom Cooper Flagg (ESPN)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Monday’s NBA Fantasy Basketball Recap
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center.|Photo by Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Monday’s NBA action featured five games, each packed with performances and injury updates that could reshape your fantasy basketball strategy.
Injury Updates Affecting Lineups
Damian Lillard’s entry into concussion protocol means he’ll miss Tuesday’s game, with a slim chance of returning by Wednesday. This quick turnaround is unusual, so keep an eye on updates. Meanwhile, Gary Trent Jr. is still dealing with back spasms, and despite his fantasy position eligibility, he’s not a point guard, averaging only two assists per game. The Milwaukee Bucks are experimenting with their lineup, with Pat Connaughton and Ryan Rollins as potential backup point guards. Giannis Antetokounmpo can handle point guard duties, but he needs support, especially with Khris Middleton unavailable.
Zion Williamson’s injury update is a blow to fantasy managers. He’s expected to be out for four to six weeks, longer than initially anticipated. If you have an IR spot, hold onto him, but be prepared for a potentially extended absence. Malik Monk’s ankle injury will keep him out for at least two weeks, affecting the Sacramento Kings’ lineup. Kevin Huerter and Keon Ellis could see increased value in the short term.
Game Highlights and Player Performances
The San Antonio Spurs pulled off a surprising 116-96 victory over the Sacramento Kings. Victor Wembanyama was the standout performer, delivering a stellar 34 points and 14 rebounds, solidifying his status as a top fantasy player. De’Aaron Fox’s assist numbers are concerning, especially with DeMar DeRozan’s arrival affecting his role. DeRozan’s on-court fit with the Kings remains a question mark. Kevin Huerter’s inconsistency continues, and while he had a hot streak, his recent performance was lacklustre. Keegan Murray’s struggles are evident, and I don’t see him breaking into the top 75 players this season.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Clippers podcasts.
The 3 Hottest Topics In Clipper Land Norman Powell is turning heads with his impressive 25 points per game, positioning himself as a potential All-Star for the Los Angeles Clippers. With the team currently ranking 5th in defensive rating, thanks to Ivica Zubac’s rim protection and Kris Dunn’s perimeter prowess, the Clippers are making waves in the NBA.
How The LA Clippers Won Their 4th Straight Can the Los Angeles Clippers maintain their winning momentum? Fresh off a thrilling 105-103 victory over the Toronto Raptors, the Clippers are riding a four-game win streak, showcasing their defensive prowess. Key players like Ivica Zubac, Terance Mann, and Nicolas Batum have been instrumental in fortifying the team’s defense, while Norman Powell continues his hot streak, averaging 25.7 points per game with impressive shooting percentages.
Why Addition By Subraction Is Reigning True For Norman Powell Norman Powell’s explosive performance lights up the court as the Los Angeles Clippers continue their impressive run. With Powell scoring 31 points and grabbing 12 rebounds for his first career double-double, the Clippers’ dominance is undeniable. How are they achieving such success on the road?
