Russell Westbrook scored 23 points helping him become the 25th player in NBA history with 25,000 points and along with Kawhi Leonard’s 33-point effort the Clippers were able to knocked off the Pistons in a shootout 136-125.
Westbrook with this feat joined teammate James Harden who accomplished the feat in December. Westbrook added nine assists to help pickup the win.
“I’m so grateful to be on this team,” said Westbrook, who immediately fouled after he reached the mark on his final basket, a running layup with 2:44 left and celebrated with his teammates at the bench. “I don’t take any of this for granted.”
Los Angeles started the game slow trailing by as many as 14 points in the first quarter. The Clippers would go on to score 35 or more points in each of the final three periods.
The Clippers shot an astounding shot 59.6% from the floor and 48.3% on 3-pointers for the game.
The defense wasn’t at the level coach Tyronn Lue would prefer but the offense was able to carry the load as seven players finished in double figures.
“We had a bunch of defensive mistakes at the start of the game,” Clippers Lue said. “We weren’t guarding their shooters the way we planned, but we started paying attention to detail after the first timeout.”
Paul George returned after missing the 125-109 win over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.
George chipped in with 18 points, seven assists and four rebounds.
The Clippers will be back in action Sunday afternoon in a nationally televised matchup against the Miami Heat.
