Inglewood, Calif. — The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their impressive run with a 103-101 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, marking their sixth consecutive win. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 26 points and eight assists, while Aaron Wiggins added 19 points in a thrilling finish.
Despite Oklahoma City missing key players Jalen Williams (hip) and Chet Holmgren (hip), the team held strong. Alex Caruso played a pivotal role in the win, scoring 14 points and hitting a clutch 3-pointer with 1:54 left, which put the Thunder ahead after they had seen a nine-point lead evaporate in the fourth quarter. Isaiah Hartenstein contributed a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Jaylin Williams scored 12.
The Clippers, on the other hand, had their five-game winning streak snapped. Kawhi Leonard posted a solid 25 points and 10 rebounds, and James Harden added 17 points. However, despite Leonard’s return from injury and Tyronn Lue’s return to the sideline after missing two games due to back issues, the Clippers faltered in the final moments.
Key Takeaways:
Thunder: Even without two of their leading scorers, the Thunder showed their depth and resilience. Gilgeous-Alexander struggled with his shooting, finishing just 24.1% from the field (7 of 29), yet Oklahoma City still found a way to edge out the Clippers, proving their ability to win even when not at full strength.
Clippers: Despite Leonard’s return, the Clippers’ success is tied to Harden’s performance. Harden had a rough night, shooting just 4 of 14 from the field, turning the ball over six times, and making a critical error in the final moments when he passed up a late shot to Leonard, who then missed a contested jumper.
Key Moment:
With the Clippers trailing by one in the final seconds, Harden held the ball too long as the shot clock wound down, and his pass to Leonard resulted in a rushed and off-target shot. The miss sealed the Thunder’s victory and ended the Clippers’ comeback hopes.
Key Stat:
The Thunder completed a perfect 4-0 season sweep of the Clippers.
Up Next:
The Thunder head to Sacramento on Tuesday, while the Clippers travel to New York on Wednesday.
