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 Game With Kawhi Leonard
Jan 6, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) holds the ball between Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) and center Rudy Gobert (27) in the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images | Bruce Kluckhohn/Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
Clippers Falter Against Timberwolves: Kawhi’s Return and Lineup Challenges
The LA Clippers suffered a narrow 108-106 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a game that saw Kawhi Leonard’s second appearance since his return. Despite building a 19-point lead, the Clippers couldn’t hold on, raising questions about lineup decisions and player rotations.
Our strong start was fueled by aggressive play from Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. Leonard knocked down two three-pointers and showed flashes of his old self. Harden contributed with early baskets and assists, helping us jump out to a 25-10 lead.
Our lockdown defense was key in the first quarter, holding the Timberwolves to just 30% shooting and 14% from three-point range. However, the tide began to turn in the second quarter as Minnesota found their rhythm from beyond the arc.
Kawhi’s Performance and Minutes Restriction
Leonard finished with 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists in 21 minutes of play. His three-point shooting looked promising, going 2-for-5, but he struggled inside the arc, shooting just 1-for-6 on two-point attempts. It’s clear that Kawhi is still working his way back to game shape, and his minutes restriction presents a challenge for our rotations and offensive flow.
Lineup Decisions and Defensive Concerns
One of the key takeaways from this game was the decision to start Kris Dunn over Terance Mann. While Dunn’s defense is valuable, his offensive struggles (1-for-5 from the field, 0-for-4 from three) hurt our spacing and overall offensive output. I believe we need to consider starting Derrick Jones Jr. moving forward to provide better offensive balance and vertical spacing.
Another concern is our lack of a true backup center. Playing small lineups with Nicolas Batum at the five leaves us vulnerable defensively, especially against teams with strong interior presences. We may need to explore options for a reliable backup big man as the season progresses.
James Harden and Norman Powell led our scoring with 22 and 25 points respectively, but their combined 15-for-39 shooting wasn’t efficient enough to secure the win. Anthony Edwards’ late-game heroics for Minnesota ultimately proved too much to overcome.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Clippers’ performance against the Timberwolves, tune into the Locked On Clippers podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Clippers Podcast:
• Detailed analysis of Kawhi Leonard’s shot selection and offensive involvement
• The impact of Mike Conley’s performance against the Clippers
• Discussion on the NBA’s current approach to hand-checking and its effect on defense
Have we already seen a Finals preview to start 2025?
Jan 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots the ball over Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the fourth quarter at Paycom Center. | Alonzo Adams/Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
It’s just one game, I whisper to myself, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander launches a three with lofty clearance over Jrue Holiday.
It’s just one game, I say, shaking my head as if to clear it when Isaiah Joe on a fastbreak flings the ball around Sam Hauser in hot pursuit, giving Hauser a ring of Saturn in basketball form for a split second, to Aaron Wiggins, shadowing them, for a tidy pop-up shot.
It’s just one game, I say, voice rising, whenGilgeous-Alexander pins the ball, barely out of Tatum’s hand, against the backboard for a block and then, immediately at the other end, lobs it to Isaiah Hartenstein for a dunk.
Sunday’s match between the Thunder and Celtics was just one game, and it’s only just January, but the contest showed what could very believably be a Finals preview. It also showed how OKC can aim to beat Boston in a series.
The Celtics are a machine, and like a machine, they are mechanical. Their dominance comes through the intuitive, expert understanding of what they are good at and how to deploy it, and what they are good at is launching threes. In Sunday’s game, the Celtics took 46 3-pointers. While they only made nine of them (for comparison, the Thunder were 16-of-38 from three), Boston is still shooting the most from deep in the league — sometimes as any as 20 more than their opponents over the course of a game.
The teams that are seeing success in recent wins over the Celtics aren’t necessarily attempting to limit Boston’s three-point attempts. With so many players capable of shooting the three ball it’s a futile effort and expends a lot of wasted energy. What they are doing, and what the Thunder did, is find ways to momentarily jam the machines.
The Thunder moved the ball more, they pressured Boston in the midrange and under the basket, they looked for any gap in the machine’s cogs they could wedge themselves into. Boston used to be way more susceptible to flustering, they abhorred a team that played a messy, gritty, or in any way abrasive style. It’s why the Heat have been so good at beating them in the postseason, because those Miami teams stopped at nothing to make things miserable and didn’t mind playing knee deep in the muck.
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
Rumor James Harden made an honest statement about Anthony Edwards following the Clippers’ game against the Timberwolves. Harden praised Edwards for his competitive spirit and performance. Harden’s comments reflect the respect between players. (Sports Illustrated)
Injury The Clippers’ injury report against the Minnesota Timberwolves includes key updates. Players like Norman Powell and Terance Mann are listed, impacting the team’s lineup and strategy. Injury details provide crucial insights. (Sports Illustrated)
Opponent The Clippers couldn’t hold off Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves in their latest matchup. Edwards’ performance was a significant factor in the game’s outcome. Edwards’ impact underscores the challenge the Clippers faced. (Daily News)
Trade The 2025 NBA trade block highlights potential new deals for top players, with the Clippers potentially making strategic moves. Discussions include high-impact trades that could reshape the team. Trade insights offer a look at future possibilities. (Bleacher Report)
Analysis Who would shoot the last shot in a Game 7 for each NBA team? The Clippers’ decision-makers weigh in on this critical choice, analyzing key players’ clutch performance. Game 7 scenarios explore strategic decisions. (Bleacher Report)
Jan 5, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Utah Jazz guard Brice Sensabaugh (28) is interviewed by Seg Media reporter, Lauren Green following a game against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Russell Lansford-Imagn Images | Russell Lansford/Russell Lansford-Imagn Images
One of the most intriguing developments on Sunday came from the Utah Jazz, where rookie Brice Sensabaugh has suddenly burst onto the scene with a scoring explosion.
Sensabaugh dropped 27 points against the Orlando Magic, following up a 34-point performance in his previous outing. That’s a staggering 61 points over two games for a player who had been largely off the fantasy radar. His usage rate has skyrocketed to over 30% in these contests, and he’s been scorching hot from beyond the arc, hitting 12 of 17 three-point attempts.
However, before we rush to add Sensabaugh in all leagues, it’s crucial to examine the context of his breakout. The Jazz were missing several key players, including Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, and Jordan Clarkson. This opened up a significant opportunity for Sensabaugh to showcase his scoring prowess.
The sustainability of Sensabaugh’s production is questionable. His three-point shooting percentage is bound to regress, and when the Jazz get healthier, his minutes and usage are likely to decrease. That said, he’s shown enough to warrant consideration as a streaming option in deeper leagues, particularly when Utah is shorthanded.
Click the button below for more insights, including another Thunder player to keep an eye on for your fantasy roster.
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 Fell Apart After A Great First Half With James Harden sidelined due to a groin injury, the Clippers struggled, highlighting the importance of his presence on the court. This episode hosted by die hard Clippers fan and Host Darian Vaziri, breaks down the Clippers’ performance, focusing on key players like Kevin Porter Jr. and Mo Bamba, who stepped up despite the defeat.
What Made Kawhi Leonard’s Intuit Dome Debut So S Kawhi Leonard is back with the Los Angeles Clippers, and his return is making waves in the NBA. Did his comeback against the Atlanta Hawks signal a re-opened window for the Clippers? With Leonard’s impressive performance, the Clippers secured a 131-105 victory, showcasing their potential as serious championship contenders.
