The Clippers found plenty of juice and enough offensive production to topple the patchwork Kings in Sacramento, 105-89. Read on for our full recap of the Clippers’ win over the Kings.
Summary
Eric Bledsoe leads the way; an unlikely bench group has its say; the Clippers find their pace again; the shorthanded Kings have limited scoring options; and more. Here’s what you need to know:
— Eric Bledsoe had one of his good nights.
The Clippers’ returning guard led his team with 19 points and 7 assists, showing off his trademark burst in recording a game-high plus-20 rating. He looked like the Bledsoe of old — or of young? — spearheading a Clipper attack without several preferred options.
In addition to Kawhi Leonard and Marcus Morris, Ty Lue was missing starting guards Reggie Jackson and Luke Kennard, both of whom were ruled out today, the former by health and safety protocols and the latter with a sore hip. Into their void stepped Bledsoe and his Herculean shoulders.
Aided by an ascendant bench group — more on them later — Bledsoe wrested back control of a game that threatened to slip away during a frustrating third quarter. An 11-0 run by the Kings built upon quick decisions and wild shotmaking ate into a 19-point Clipper lead. By the opening minute of the fourth, the Kings were within four.
Bledsoe and Serge Ibaka led an LA blitz that held the Kings at bay, then solidified the win alongside a steady Paul George. Bledsoe turned the ball over 4 times, but his team-high 36 minutes are evidence of the load he carried. Give him the game ball.
— The Clippers, like most of the league, entered tonight sans a large percentage of their preferred rotation. With Bledsoe and Terance Mann returning to the starting lineup, Ty Lue had reserve minutes to allocate. Serge Ibaka, in his second game back after another multi-week absence, was an obvious choice. That left time for the kids, and they made the most of it.
Backstopped by a resurgent Ibaka, Amir Coffey, Brandon Boston Jr., and Keon Johnson, who was called up from the G League shortly before the game, left a distinct imprint on the game.
Ibaka was the reserve star, scoring 17 on 7-of-9 shooting (2-for-3 on three-pointers). His ability to create floor space was critical on a night when the remaining scoring options needed all the elbow room they could get. Ibaka submitted his most productive game of the season, and his return to form will present Ty Lue with a first-world problem when Isaiah Hartenstein recovers from injury.
The three young players were the real surprise though, keying profitable runs to begin the second and fourth quarters. Amir Coffey, the most experienced of the trio, looked it, creating transition chances with controlled aggression and finishing them with veteran craft. Boston converted just 3 of 11 field goals, but showed a willingness to fire away in front of a generous Sacramento defense. Keon Johnson, playing his first meaningful minutes of the season, flashed playmaking chops, especially in concert with his fellow G Leaguers. The rookie was not in over his head.
Justise Winslow submitted 7 encouraging first-half minutes, driving with juice to crank the offense into motion. It was a surprise to this writer to see him remain on the bench through the second half.
— On a night of pleasant surprises, perhaps the most pleasant was the reunion between the Clippers and their fast break offense. Bledsoe and company rampaged to a season-high 29 points on the break. The Clippers certainly benefited from 19 Sacramento turnovers, notably led by Paul George’s 5 steals. With so many Clipper shooters and shot creators missing, the team scuffled to a 29% mark from three, but made up for it with 54 points in the paint. The Clippers didn’t put on a fireworks show, but they scored more than enough.
— On the flip side, the Clippers handcuffed the Kings and their dearth of scoring options. From the opening minute, the Clippers played with conspicuous energy, a healthy turn from Monday night’s malaise. They harassed the Kings into 40% shooting and held a furious downhill squad to 36 points in the paint, 12 free throws, and 6 fast break points.
Sacramento was without half its roster, in addition to its head coach, and it showed. They scrambled for offense for almost every possession outside of a heady third-quarter stretch.
Tyrese Haliburton took the bulk of the playmaking load, submitting game-highs in points (22) and assists (13). The second-year guard is a blur in transition and a crafty finisher. He turned it over 7 times but his workload (43 minutes), usage rate, and lack of help contributed. He’s a handful.
Lack of help? Buddy Hield also played 43 minutes but managed only 16 points. He struggled through an awful shooting night, converting just 5 of 18 three-pointers and missing all 4 of his attempts inside the arc. He looked out of rhythm, shuffling his feet on multiple open looks. He’ll have better nights.
So will Harrison Barnes, who scored a pedestrian 18 in 40 minutes. He was fine, but he’s a complementary player and had nobody really to complement.
Richaun Holmes returned from injury, scoring 4 points in 17 minutes. The Kings continue to wait for De’Aaron Fox and Davion Mitchell and Alex Len and Terence Davis and Marvin Bagley and head coach Alvin Gentry, among others, all of whom have tested positive for COVID-19.
— The Clippers announced that Paul George splashed his 1,831st career-pointer, moving him past Chauncey Billups into 18th on the all-time list.
The Clippers now have three full days off before they face the Nuggets on Sunday.
Thanks for reading this game recap of the Clippers’ victory over the Kings. Stay on the lookout for more game coverage and analysis and an episode of TLTJTP soon.
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