The Clippers trailed big from start to finish in their 113-89 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday. Keep reading for a full recap of the Clippers’ loss to the Pelicans.

Summary

The Clippers began the game shooting 1-5 from the field as they dug themselves into yet another early hole against New Orleans. Brandon Ingram and Jonas Valanciunas jumpstarted a 13-2 opening for the Pels and eventually handed the keys off to Josh Hart and Devonte Graham. The poor shooting start for the Clippers soon turned to 3-17 and the first-quarter deficit ballooned to 19. Brandon Boston Jr. and Eric Bledsoe emerged from the bench to give L.A. a slight boost before the first quarter concluded, but it still left them in a 13-point bind.

Quarter No. 2 began similarly to the opening, with the Clippers struggling to convert on their many jump shots and the Pels finding success on offense. Nothing materialized for the Clips from there. New Orleans kept its foot on the gas and capitalized on the Clippers’ low energy. The Pelicans remained a step quicker to the ball, a little faster to the offensive glass, and more in sync on defense throughout the quarter, resulting in a 53-34 NOP halftime lead.

The start of the third quarter felt like the last opportunity to make their move in a similar way that they did against Denver on Tuesday. But lightning did not strike twice. The three-point line opened up for New Orleans and helped open the floodgates. Reggie Jackson and Marcus Morris Sr. briefly found the touch on offense, but it didn’t matter. The Clips had no answer for Ingram or anyone else on the Pels and fell behind by as many as 28 by the end of the quarter. This time with Xavier Moon, Terance Mann, and other end-of-rotation guys, the Clips did their end-of-the-quarter flurry to try and make the score more respectable, but Brandon Ingram hoisted an off-balance shot from the wing to preserve a 24-point cushion as the quarter ended.

The flurry spilled into the fourth and it trimmed the New Orleans lead down to as few as 13 at around the midway point of the quarter. Although the game was never in doubt, Brandon Ingram helped push the Pelicans lead back to 20 points and shut the door on any comeback attempt. Willie Green’s squad cruised to their third win of the season over the Clippers, dealing the Clips their fifth-straight loss at Smoothie King Center.

Game Notes

Offensive Creativity: The Clippers’ offense looked remarkably impromptu. New Orleans opted to mostly switch all actions on the perimeter, and it left the Clips hovering around the arc and unable to get much near the basket. Not all credit can go to the Pelicans for that outcome, though. Much of the jump shot-taking and the stale offense came down to the limitations of L.A.’s personnel. No one could create off the dribble or get by their defender, which ultimately played as big of a role as any in its beatdown on Thursday night.

First Half: It may be time for Ty Lue to make some starting lineup changes. After scratching and clawing their way to 28 first-half points on Tuesday, L.A. responded with 34 on Thursday. That’s what an 11-42 shooting performance will get you. Going 2-18 doesn’t help either. But what changes on this edition of the Clippers in going to really swing these games? Hard to say.

Up Next

The Clippers have Friday off but will be back at it on Saturday evening in San Antonio when they face the Spurs. Be sure to come back around for a preview and recap of the game.

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