LOS ANGELES, CA- The Los Angeles Lakers and The Los Angeles Clippers showdown in the Crypt for NBA opening week. For the first time since Staples center was renamed The Crypto.com Arena, we have yet to see a real battle between the stars of both LA teams.
Back and forth, just like this game, were LA basketball fans as they hoped to find a team fit for LA greatness this NBA season.
Battle between the LAs
A back-and-forth beginning to the game as the Lakers and the Clippers looked to put some early points on the board in the first meeting of the two LA teams this year.
About halfway through the first quarter is when things really started to heat up, beginning with an emphatic alley-oop finish by Anthony Davis, assisted by Rusell Westbrook.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, and fortunate for the Clippers, John Wall made his first check in. And boy, did he look vintage. John Walls’ last game was farther away than Kawhi Leonard’s last game, as Wall hasn’t played since April of 2021.
John Wall, Paul George and Normal Powell got some shots going to finish the quarter with a 14-4 run leading the first quarter 35-23.
Six and a half minutes to go in the second, and Kawhi Leonard is finally checking in. Immediately after checking in, he scores two back-to-back buckets to put them up 52-36, gaining one of the largest leads of the half.
The Lakers wouldn’t stand for this though, and a few steals led to fast break points, which led to big momentum. The Lakers would close off the half with a 20-4 run behind their defense, making plays to tie it at the half, 56-56.
The Beginning of the End
After a deep opening three-pointer from PG13 to start off, the third quarter would continue the back-and-forth action between these two LA teams.
Midway through the third AD would take a hard fall after a shooting foul on Leonard, AD was already questionable for this game with lower back tightness.
After AD was subbed out, the Lakers offense began to slow down while the Clippers just kept going. They would go on to a 17-0 run and close the quarter 85-77.
The Lakers came into the fourth quarter with one goal: get the lead back, and they did just that. A couple buckets from Lonnie Walker IV and some great defense from the crew, and the Lakers went on a 12-2 run to their first fourth quarter lead, 89-87.
The Clippers immediately took their lead back with a few buckets from Luke Kennard, PG13 and Reggie Jackson, 95-91, with five and a half to go.
With about a minute left and down by four points, (99-95), the lakers are looking to make something happen, but after a dagger shot by Kawhi, the Lakers fall to the Clippers 109-97.
Deepest Team in the NBA
Looking at the win against the Lakers, the Clippers showed one major strong suit over the Lakers that they may have against every team. And we’re not talking about rebounding.
With six different players in double digits, three starters (PG13, Ivica Zubac and Marcus Morris Sr.), and three off the bench (Wall, Leonard and Luke Kennard), the Clippers showed just how deep they really are.
Obviously, everyone is looking for a big night from PG13 and Kawhi Leonard, but with Leonard coming off the bench for minutes management and PG13 struggling early, they had to look elsewhere.
Wall took on that role, along with Kennard and Zubac, as they all put up some big numbers for the Clippers in their win. Wall finished with (15pts, 4reb, 3ast). Kennard went perfect from behind the arc shooting (3-for-3, 100%). And, Zubac put up a big double-double with 14 points and 17 rebounds.
PG13 finished the game stronger than he started, and he got a double-double himself with 15 points and ten rebounds.
Finally after 493 days, Kawhi stepped back on the court during the regular season, and many would agree, including Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, seeing his first bucket was a relief.
Of course, he played somewhat restricted minutes and a close eye was kept on him, but he would end up finishing with 14 points and seven rebounds in the season opener victory for the Clippers.
