Comments on: Clippers vs Lakers Game Thread: Quick Back to Back

By: Dave Rosa

Dave Rosa — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 12:40:49 +0000

1st quarter was bad. Lue didn’t have them ready for a zone. 2, 3. and 4 quarters were all Clips.

Mathuren is the real deal. This young man is going to be an All Star. Pair him with Garland in the starting unit as quickly as possible.

I love Konan the Barbarian. He is long, athletic, and tough. He’s our starting center moving forward.

Was it Hayes on the Collins play? Whoever it was flipped Collins with his hip and back. Dirty play.

I really like this team.

By: John Maclean

John Maclean — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 04:38:02 +0000

My not so crazy take on LeBrons glowing appraisal of Kawhi is that he may seriously be looking to join the clippers now that his lakers tenure is all but over. I’m sure he doesn’t want to leave LA and even at his age is probably a very good PF. Clippers could obviously use the marquee name for their branding so some incentive on our end too. If we don’t have the cap space Collins, Bogi and change probably gets it done—-so long as there’s no moratorium preventing trades before free agency. I’m not an expert on that. I’d rather we keep retooling and getting younger but that could be tempting for Ballmer to consider.

By: John Maclean

John Maclean — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 02:50:53 +0000

Brooks likely OFS with broken hand. Their schedule is brutal. If Kawhi isn’t seriously ailing and can return this week and garland comes back we are going to get that 7 seed.

By: mlslaw1

mlslaw1 — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 01:24:43 +0000

So we get the magic after they lost in 2OTs to the Suns — if we’re without Kawhi/Collins this could be a fair fite.

By: khyber jones

khyber jones — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 19:24:28 +0000

My evolving take on Mathurin: even if this contract year Benn isn’t the real Benn, I think the ability to draw contact and finish at the rim appear to be real and consistent. LAC offenses need bucket getters. It needs guys who can draw 2 at certain points on the floor or finish on getting opportunities created by double teams. Mathurin fits the latter and the traditional Clipper mold of a bucket getter that we’ve had on the squad since the 00s, The things that he’s NBA level good and consistent at fit what LAC generally tries to do on offense. I think extending a 2+1 contract to him is justifiable. As we retool/rebuild we need buckets along the way. I think he can do that. I’m also impressed with his physical conditioning.

By: khyber jones

khyber jones — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 19:19:16 +0000

Yeah, that was a key play. Dunn flubbing a bunch of fast break opportunities hurt too. I’m sure Lue told the team this, but it’s pretty simple: if you’re in the open floor get that ball to Kawhi or to Mathurin. If you’re near the basket, get that ball to DJJ on a cut.

By: khyber jones

khyber jones — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 19:16:07 +0000

Clipper Nation is bitter at the refereeing. YKN gets a flagrant foul for an incidental tap of his elbow against Lebron’s side. No foul called on Reaves nut punching DJJ in front of the ref at the corner 3 area. Luka getting invited to the FT line on any dribble penetration in Q4 on phantom contact. I could go on.

Lakers do have high powered offensive weapons. If JJ can find 2-3 defensive minded players to give good minutes off that bench, they can give teams problems. Still, LAC probably wins that game 8 times out of 10.

By: mlslaw1

mlslaw1 — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:46:05 +0000

Couldn’t watch the Collins replays–too painful. And the guy looked in agony walking off. Really hope he’s OK. Kawhi walking off somewhat normally is a good sign. Hope for the best for both.

Turning point play of the late game (and I think Coach K will agree): DJJ grabs a pass/rebound and speeds down court with Luka to beat. Instead of going around him or looking to pass, he drives straight into Ls body and L simply sticks out his hand and bats the ball away to a Laker, turning that possession into a made 3 for the bad guys. Low IQ play DJJ and completely turned the game around. A single play can do that. And after the play, Luka did some trash talking to DJJ, obviously rubbing it in. Well deserved. Luka’s insufferable (good word Chog) grin really needs to turn to a scowl.

Of course, Ls shooting did us in again. He loves to play with his screens at the top of the key (his fave) and his screeners accommodate. If/when he gets set to shoot, he basically can’t miss from that spot. Gotta double him (like they do Kawhi) and take your chances. Playing Sanders on him or anyone else (other than Kawhi) single coverage won’t work — he’s just too good.

By: John Maclean

John Maclean — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 07:08:20 +0000

If not for the Collins and then Kawhi injuries we probably win comfortably. This team will be utterly terrifying when we add garland if Kawhi can hold up.

Portland lost by 54 to Denver so we lost nothing in the play-in seeding.

We catch Orlando on second night of b2b. They are still struggling offensively so even without Kawhi we should have a good shot at that one if we bring the defense like tonight.

Onward.

By: KingAlfonse

KingAlfonse — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 07:04:21 +0000

I’ll post what I want, thanks, bud.