In the previous season, the LA Clippers made a significant move by signing veteran point guard Russell Westbrook. Westbrook’s arrival instantly transformed him into a leader both on and off the court. He made his presence known through vocal leadership in practices, games, and within the locker room, motivating his teammates, including All-Stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
Paul George, who had played with Westbrook during their time in Oklahoma City, was a strong advocate for bringing him to the Clippers. Westbrook’s intention was to embrace a supporting role behind Kawhi and Paul George, but there have been instances where he still takes hero-ball shots, particularly in clutch moments.
Kawhi 😭 pic.twitter.com/A4rrIpYZ14
— Dom2K 🏖🎃 (@Dom_2k) October 28, 2023
In a recent matchup between the Utah Jazz and the LA Clippers, Jordan Clarkson came through in the clutch, sinking a crucial go-ahead 3-pointer with just 28 seconds remaining. he pressured Kawhi Leonard into a challenging missed shot on the opposing end, sealing a hard-fought 120-118 victory for the Utah Jazz over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Russell Westbrook showcased his playmaking abilities by recording 11 points and 13 assists. This performance marked him as the first Clippers player to achieve such a high assist count in a season opener. However, the game ended in disappointment as Westbrook missed a crucial rebound attempt from 18 feet at the buzzer.
The Clippers have faced their fair share of challenges in Utah, having lost 12 consecutive regular-season games in the state. Their last victory in Utah dates back to February 13, 2017, with Blake Griffin delivering an impressive performance of 26 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists.
The Clippers managed to take their first lead in the game thanks to a pivotal 3-pointer by Nicolas Batum. This capped off a 17-4 run, making the score 104-101 with 5:49 left in the game.
Paul George emerged as a crucial factor in the game, scoring 15 points in the third quarter and helping the Clippers narrow the gap to 89-83 as they entered the fourth quarter.
The Utah Jazz found their rhythm in the second quarter, making their first five 3-pointers to spark a 15-4 run. Talen Horton-Tucker’s 3-pointer provided the Jazz with their largest lead of the game, extending it to 50-36.
After struggling with their three-point shooting in a season-opening loss to the Sacramento Kings, the Jazz rebounded by sinking 16 of 41 attempts from beyond the arc against the Clippers, securing their first win of the season.
