It wasn't pretty. If you're looking for a defensive clinic or a masterclass in organized basketball, you probably should have turned the TV off by the middle of the second quarter. But for those who stuck around to see who won the Clippers game last night, the payoff was one of those gritty, ugly-beautiful wins that defines the "Intuit Dome era" so far. The Los Angeles Clippers managed to outlast their opponents in a game that felt more like a heavyweight boxing match where both fighters were too tired to raise their gloves by the twelfth round.
They won. Barely.
The final scoreline tells part of the story, but it doesn't capture the tension in the building when the lead evaporated in the fourth. James Harden looked like he was running on fumes for a bit there. Then, he didn't. He found that extra gear, and honestly, that’s been the story of this season.
The Gritty Details: Breaking Down the Clippers Win
The Clippers secured a 112-107 victory, a score that looks closer than the game felt for about thirty minutes of play. It was a weird night. Norm Powell continued his "I’m actually an All-Star" campaign by dropping 26 points, most of them coming when the offense looked like it was stuck in California Northbound traffic. You've got to wonder how long he can keep this shooting percentage up, but for now, the Clippers are riding that wave as far as it'll take them.
James Harden finished with a double-double. 18 points. 11 assists. He also had six turnovers that probably made Ty Lue want to pull his hair out, but that’s the James Harden experience in 2026. You take the brilliance with the occasional "what was that pass?" moment.
Ivica Zubac was the unsung hero. Again. The man is a walking double-double and currently leads the league in "doing the dirty work that stars don't want to do." He grabbed 15 rebounds and contested everything at the rim. Without Big Zu, the Clippers lose this game by ten. Easy.
🔗 Read more: When is Georgia's next game: The 2026 Bulldog schedule and what to expect
The opponent—who shall remain nameless to some fans who are still salty about the officiating—didn't go away. They hovered. They poked. They exploited the Clippers' lack of wing depth while Kawhi Leonard remains sidelined with that lingering knee inflammation. It’s the same old song, right? We’re all just waiting for the Klaw to come back, but in the meantime, the "Stay-Ready" group is actually staying ready.
Why the Fourth Quarter Almost Fell Apart
It got shaky. Fast.
The Clippers entered the final frame with a nine-point lead. Within four minutes, it was a two-point game. The ball stopped moving. It’s a bad habit this team has—reverting to isolation ball when the pressure mounts. Harden gets the "iso" itch, the shooters stand in the corners, and the defense just gets to sit back and breathe.
Then came the turning point.
Terance Mann dived for a loose ball. He didn't just fall; he launched himself like he was trying to catch a flight at LAX. That hustle play led to a transition three from Kevin Porter Jr., and the momentum shifted back to the home side. It's those "non-box-score" plays that actually decided who won the Clippers game last night. You can look at the shooting percentages all day, but heart won this one.
💡 You might also like: Vince Carter Meme I Got One More: The Story Behind the Internet's Favorite Comeback
Defensive Identity and the Ty Lue Factor
Ty Lue is a mad scientist. He really is. He played a small-ball lineup for a four-minute stretch in the third that made no sense on paper but somehow resulted in a 12-2 run. He’s leaning heavily on Derrick Jones Jr. to be the primary POA (Point of Attack) defender, and it’s working.
- The Perimeter Lock: Jones Jr. held their best scorer to 4-of-14 shooting.
- The Rim Protection: Zubac and Kai Jones (who is becoming a fan favorite for his energy) combined for 5 blocks.
- The Turnover Battle: The Clippers actually lost this, which is concerning. They gave it up 17 times.
You can't win in the playoffs turning the ball over 17 times. You just can't. But in a mid-week regular-season game in January? You can survive if you rebound the ball, and the Clippers out-rebounded their opponents 52 to 41. That's the game right there. Second-chance points were 22-8 in favor of LA.
The Norm Powell Leap
Is it a fluke? People have been asking this for weeks. Powell is shooting nearly 45% from deep on high volume. Last night, he was 5-of-9. When he’s hitting those contested corner threes, the Clippers' floor spacing becomes a nightmare for opposing coaches. He’s no longer just a "six-man." He’s the focal point of the offense for long stretches.
If you were watching closely, you noticed how the defense started doubling him in the second half. That opened up lanes for Harden. It’s a dynamic we haven't seen in LA for a while—a guard-centric offense that doesn't rely on a healthy Kawhi or Paul George (who, as we know, is now doing his thing in Philly).
What This Win Means for the Western Conference Standings
The West is a bloodbath. You know it, I know it. One week you're the fourth seed; two losses later, you're fighting for your life in the play-in tournament. By winning last night, the Clippers moved to 24-18. They’re firmly in the mix, keeping pace with the Suns and the Warriors.
📖 Related: Finding the Best Texas Longhorns iPhone Wallpaper Without the Low-Res Junk
They aren't the favorites. Nobody is calling them "title locks." But they are becoming the team that nobody wants to play on a Tuesday night in Inglewood. They’re physical. They’re annoying. They play defense like their lives depend on it for at least 30 out of 48 minutes.
Practical Insights for Clippers Fans and Bettors
If you’re following this team closely, there are a few things you should keep an eye on moving forward. This game wasn't an outlier; it was a blueprint.
- Watch the Zubac Minutes: When he plays more than 32 minutes, the Clippers' win percentage skyrockets. He is the barometer for their success. If he gets in foul trouble early, bet against them.
- The "Harden Fatigue" Is Real: Look at his shooting in the first half versus the second. He’s losing his legs late in games because he’s carrying such a high usage rate. The team needs another playmaker before the trade deadline.
- Home Court Advantage: The Intuit Dome is loud. Like, actually loud. The "Wall" is a real thing, and it’s clearly rattling opposing free-throw shooters. They shot 68% from the line last night. That’s the "Wall" effect.
The Clippers play again on Thursday. They have a day to rest, which they desperately need. Harden looked gapped. Zubac looked like he needed a literal ice bath for three hours. But a win is a win, and in the Western Conference, you don't apologize for how you get them.
Moving Forward: What to Watch Next
The trade deadline is looming. While the win was great, the lack of a backup "big" who can actually play meaningful minutes was obvious when Zubac sat. The front office—led by Lawrence Frank—is likely scouring the market for a veteran center who can give them 10-12 minutes of rim protection.
Keep an eye on the injury report for Kawhi. The "inflammation" talk is vague, but the team is 12-6 in their last 18 without him. They’ve found an identity. It’s a gritty, blue-collar identity that fits this roster better than the "star-power" focus of years past.
For now, celebrate the W. The Clippers proved they can win the "mud fights." That matters more in May than it does in January, but building those habits now is how you avoid a first-round exit.
To stay ahead of the curve on the Clippers' season, prioritize tracking Norm Powell’s usage rate and Ivica Zubac’s rebounding totals. These two factors are currently more indicative of a Clippers victory than James Harden’s total points. If Powell continues to score 20+ and Zubac dominates the glass, the Clippers will remain a top-six seed regardless of when Kawhi Leonard returns to the lineup. Focus on their defensive rating in the fourth quarter, which remains top-five in the league—this is their true secret weapon.