Clippers Assemble Ultimate Team for Championship Run!

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Reflecting on the past isn’t easy for Tyronn Lue, especially considering the Clippers’ struggles over the last four years. The 2023-24 season saw them win 51 games, only for an injury to Kawhi Leonard to derail their playoff hopes. The previous season ended similarly with Leonard and Paul George sidelined, and the 2020-21 season was particularly painful when they reached the conference finals but lost Leonard before it even began.

“That year weighs heavily on me,” confessed Lue.

Historically, the Clippers have been regarded as the perpetual underdogs of the NBA. From their days in Buffalo, San Diego, and Los Angeles, and with stars like Danny Manning, Elton Brand, and Chris Paul, they’ve always been overshadowed by the Lakers and often dismissed by other teams. The most notorious moment in their history was when former owner Donald Sterling was expelled from the NBA.

However, a new hope has emerged in Los Angeles County. The Clippers hosted their first playoff game at the Intuit Dome, a stunning $2 billion venue funded by team owner Steve Ballmer. It boasts excellent sightlines, a unique double-sided halo board, and a dynamic 51-row section filled with enthusiastic fans along the visiting baseline. Denver Nuggets coach David Adelman even hinted that the Clippers might be enhancing the crowd noise, a claim he later retracted with a nod to their ingenuity.

“I’m really impressed with what they’ve managed here,” Adelman remarked. “The NBA could use more of this energy.”

That Thursday, the Clippers delivered a commanding performance, overpowering Denver 117–83 and taking a 2–1 lead in the series. Leonard was a standout, scoring 21 points and stifling Michael Porter Jr. to just seven points. James Harden contributed 20 points, and Ivica Zubac added 19. The Clippers led in turnovers, 16–10, and Denver struggled with their shooting, managing only 40.3% from the field and a dismal 26.9% from beyond the arc.

“Our shooting was on point,” said Harden.

Nikola Jokic acknowledged, “They outplayed us in every aspect.”

Could this be the year everything aligns for the Clippers? It seemed unlikely, especially after George left for Philadelphia. Many doubted that a group of role players could fill the void left by such a talented individual. Yet, somehow, they have managed to do just that. Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones Jr. have solidified what is now the NBA’s third-best defense. Nicolas Batum played 78 games and excelled from the three-point line, shooting 43.3%. Zubac and Norman Powell have thrived in expanded roles, while Leonard and Harden have become the linchpins of the team.

“It’s easier to coach when everyone embraces their roles,” Lue commented. “Our players know what’s expected of them every night, and they’re okay with it.”

Lue still enjoys coaching stars, and the Clippers have two big ones. Leonard didn’t start playing until January due to a lingering knee injury but has been exceptional since his return. He averaged 21.5 points in just under 32 minutes per game, shooting 41.1% from three and helping the team to a 26-11 record when he played—a pace that projects to 58 wins over a full season.

“The playoffs are where Leonard thrives,” Lue remarked. In this series, he’s been more than just comfortable; he’s been dominant. He shot 60% from the field in Game 1, nearly 80% in Game 2, and although his shooting dipped to 41.2% in the latest game, he made half of his three-point attempts, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out six assists.

“He’s a phenomenal player,” Jokic stated.

Harden, however, may have outshone even Leonard. His 20-point, six-rebound, nine-assist performance was described by Lue as “a masterpiece of exploiting what the defense offers.” Harden was considered a risky acquisition when the Clippers signed the 35-year-old to a two-year, $70 million contract last summer. He responded by playing 79 games and consistently flirting with triple-doubles. On Thursday, he scored 13 points in the first quarter alone, helping establish a lead that the Clippers never relinquished.

Yet, it’s the collective effort that has brought the Clippers this far. Zubac, a contender for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award, is posting numbers comparable to those of Jokic and Joel Embiid. Powell’s performance could have earned him an All-Star nod. Dunn would be a shoo-in for an All-Defensive team if he met the league’s minutes requirement.

“This is what you hope for in an NBA team,” Harden expressed. “It’s probably one of the coolest teams because everyone knows their role and embraces it… that’s what makes us special.”

Leonard added, “There are players here who actively seek to defend. They’re not just delegating the tough assignments to me. They’re eager to take on challenges themselves, and that motivates me defensively.”

With much of the postseason still ahead, and this series far from over, Denver isn’t out of contention just yet. Securing two more wins won’t be easy. But one can’t help but wonder—is this the season the Clippers finally achieve their breakthrough? After years of setbacks, could this be their moment?

“If we can maintain this level of play throughout the playoffs,” Leonard mused, “it would be truly remarkable.”

Inside the Intuit Dome, thousands of genuine fans would undoubtedly agree.