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.
Locked On Clippers
Locked On Clippers
How The LA Clippers Fell Apart After A Great 1st Half
Jan 2, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Kevin Porter Jr. (77) and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (25) fight for the ball during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams/Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Clippers Fall to Thunder Despite Valiant Effort: Analyzing the Game Without Harden
The Los Angeles Clippers faced a tough challenge against the Oklahoma City Thunder, ultimately falling short in a 116-98 defeat. Despite the loss, there were moments of brilliance and areas of concern that deserve a closer look.
James Harden’s absence due to a groin injury was felt throughout the game. While the injury doesn’t appear to be serious, it’s something to monitor given the tricky nature of groin issues. The decision to rest Harden seems more precautionary than anything else, likely a load management choice by the team.
Without Harden, the Clippers managed to build a 16-point lead at one point, showcasing their depth and resilience. The team’s ball movement and aggressive play from role players like Kris Dunn helped compensate for Harden’s absence early on.
Defensive Strategies and Matchups
Both teams employed interesting defensive strategies, particularly against key players. The Thunder focused on limiting Norman Powell’s opportunities, while the Clippers tried various coverages on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA). The Clippers’ decision to double-team SGA early in isolation situations was a departure from the pre-game strategy of testing one-on-one defense against him.
Third Quarter Collapse
The game turned in the third quarter when the Thunder outscored the Clippers 42-20. Turnovers were a significant factor, with OKC capitalizing on the Clippers’ mistakes. The lack of ball-handling without Harden became evident, and Norman Powell’s struggles (1-for-11 shooting) compounded the issue.
Bright Spots: Kevin Porter Jr. and Mo Bamba
Despite the loss, Kevin Porter Jr. and Mo Bamba provided some positive moments for the Clippers. Porter showed improved decision-making and assertiveness, while Bamba had what some considered his best game as a Clipper. Their performances offer a glimmer of hope for the team’s bench depth moving forward.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Clippers’ performance against the Thunder, tune into the Locked On Clippers podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Clippers Podcast:
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.
Home and Away
Opponent Despite a strong start, the Harden-less Clippers couldn’t maintain momentum, ultimately falling to the Thunder. A fast start wasn’t enough to secure a win. (Daily News)
Fans In the first voting results for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Jayson Tatum lead the pack. Fan voting reflects strong support for these stars. (Bleacher Report)
Honor Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards calls Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the “MVP of the NBA.”(ESPN)
Injury Pistons Jaden Ivey undergoes surgery to repair his broken fibula, and his earliest timeline for return is four weeks. (SportsNet)
Watch Charles Barkley calls out JJ Redick over NBA ratings comments, “dead man walking.” (Awful Announcing)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Jimmy Butler’s Trade Request Shakes Up Miami Heat & Fantasy Basketball
Jan 2, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) looks on from the bench during the second half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol/Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
I’ve been hearing whispers about potential issues between Butler and the Heat organization for months now. Sources close to the situation indicated that the Heat were hesitant to offer Butler a contract extension, which reportedly left him feeling undervalued and frustrated.
Butler’s recent press conference comments, where he stated he may never regain his joy for playing basketball while with the Heat, seem to confirm these tensions. His on-court performance has also noticeably dipped, with Butler appearing disengaged and putting up subpar numbers.
From a fantasy perspective, Butler’s potential departure raises questions about who might step up in his absence. However, looking at games where Butler has been out this season, no clear beneficiary has emerged. Players like Jaime Jaquez Jr., Tyler Herro, and Duncan Robinson have failed to consistently produce starter-level fantasy numbers in Butler’s absence.
Click the button below to get the inside scoop on a rookie center’s breakout game.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Clippers podcasts.
What Hurts The Most When We Play OKC Can the Los Angeles Clippers overcome the Oklahoma City Thunder’s impressive 12-game winning streak? Host Darian Vaziri offers insights into the Clippers-Thunder trade, reflecting on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s rise and the implications for both teams. The discussion also covers Kawhi Leonard’s anticipated return and how it could reshape the Clippers’ game plan.
How The LA Clippers Got Embarrassed To End 2024 Can the Los Angeles Clippers bounce back after their crushing 122-86 defeat to the San Antonio Spurs? With star players like James Harden and Norman Powell under scrutiny, the Clippers’ performance raises questions about their readiness for the 2025 portion of the season.
How The LA Clippers Got It Out The Mud In The Big Easy Can the Los Angeles Clippers’ “Big Four” reshape their path to championship glory? In a thrilling 116-113 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, the Clippers showcased their potential with standout performances from Norman Powell and James Harden.
