Browsing: Clippers
Both teams open NBA Cup play on losing streaks. Minnesota is without Anthony Edwards, and the Clippers need to fix 23.5 turnovers a game while Darius Garland plays through back tightness.
The rookie’s career night and a half-court buzzer-beater were the bright spots as the Clippers shot 26 of 74 and dropped their third straight game.
With Rui Hachimura out with left quad soreness, Tyronn Lue is starting Kobe Sanders against a Lakers team playing its second game in two nights.
Brook Lopez has scored 54 points on 20-of-31 shooting off the bench for the 1-2 Clippers. Here is how his role compares with Isaiah Jackson’s before Wednesday’s Lakers rematch.
The Clippers outshot Oklahoma City and got within 97-96 with three minutes left, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ajay Mitchell closed it out. Kris Dunn had five steals; Jalen Williams left on a stretcher.
The Clippers shot 49 percent and 43 percent from three but lost the ball 26 times. Darius Garland scored 26 with nine turnovers, and Brook Lopez went 8-of-9 off the bench.
Rui Hachimura called Crypto.com Arena special to him. After a 3-of-13 opener, the former Laker gets his old team tonight, and again Wednesday at Intuit Dome.
The Clippers never trailed: Darius Garland hit his first five shots, Kris Dunn started over Keaton Wagler, and the rookie still delivered 15, five and five off the bench.
Game day at Intuit Dome: Tyronn Lue on using Keaton Wagler on and off the ball, Isaiah Jackson’s three-point plans, the injury list and Darius Acuff Jr.’s Sacramento debut.
Isaiah Jackson is the only named starter. Box scores from all three exhibitions show why rookie Keaton Wagler is the favorite at shooting guard next to Darius Garland.