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Chris Paul, Thunder Spoil Paul George's Return; Beat Clippers Without Kawhi
December 23, 2019
The Oklahoma City Thunder won their fourth straight game by beating the visiting Los Angeles Clippers 118-112 in Paul George's return to Chesapeake Energy Arena on Sunday night.
The Clippers were without reigning Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, who was resting for the second game of a back-to-back, and point guard Patrick Beverley (groin).
It also marked Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Danilo Gallinari's first time facing the Clippers in OKC since they were sent to the Thunder in this summer's blockbuster trade that landed George in L.A.
Gallinari did not play, however, while dealing with a sore ankle. Gilgeous-Alexander tied his career high with 32 points against his former team.
The Clippers led by 18 points at the 5:33 mark in the second quarter but quickly saw their advantage evaporate when the Thunder went on a 10-0 run. From then on, it seemed like Oklahoma City's game to lose. The Thunder took the lead for the last time when Dennis Schroder hit a three-pointer to put his squad up 108-106 with 1:47 left in regulation.
L.A. was outplayed in the paint with Oklahoma City tallying 16 offensive rebounds and 60 points underneath, per The Athletic's Jovan Buha.
The Thunder improved to 15-14 after hitting .500 for the first time this season Friday.
The Clippers fell to 22-10 while they chase the 24-5 Los Angeles Lakers atop the Western Conference. The crosstown rivals will clash on Christmas Day at Staples Center.
Notable Stats
OKC G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 32 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals
OKC G Dennis Schroder: 28 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal
OKC C Steven Adams: 20 points, 17 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals
OKC G Chris Paul: 12 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists
LAC G Lou Williams: 22 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists
LAC F Paul George: 18 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
LAC F Montrezl Harrell: 18 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist
LAC G Landry Shamet: 14 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Reminds Clippers Why He Was Their First-Round Draft Pick
Prior to Friday, Gilgeous-Alexander had not registered a 30-point game in his career.
The 21-year-old now has back-to-back 32-point outings:
That included a 19-point first half to cut into the Clippers' 18-point lead:
The Clippers had trouble containing not just Gilgeous-Alexander but guards Chris Paul and Schroder as well. Schroder notched 16 fourth-quarter points but commended Gilgeous-Alexander in his postgame comments:
When Russell Westbrook was still in Oklahoma City, it was a one-man show in the backcourt. Since his departure to Houston, however, Paul is leading a more collaborative effort alongside Gilgeous-Alexander and Schroder.
Gilgeous-Alexander poked some fun at his mentor while meeting with the media:
"I am not Russell Westbrook," Gilgeous-Alexander told reporters in August following his trade from the Clippers to the Thunder. "We don't have the same name, the same body type, nothing like that. So I'm going to try to be myself and be the best me, and everything else will take care of itself."
So far, following that M.O. has worked out for both Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder. The Clippers certainly aren't regretting giving up what they had to in order to pair George with Leonard, but Gilgeous-Alexander outplayed George.
Oklahoma City has to be pleasantly surprised with just how quickly Gilgeous-Alexander has acclimated. The Kentucky product entered Sunday night as the Thunder's leading scorer, averaging 18.6 points per game, and looks to be developing into OKC's new franchise face.
Showing out against his former team only escalates that narrative.
Paul George Receives Warm Welcome but Underwhelms in OKC Return
George won't leave Chesapeake Energy Arena with the result he wanted against the Thunder, with whom he spent the last two seasons, but the six-time All-Star was greeted warmly before tip:
George started hot with eight points in the opening four minutes—including two three-pointers—but quickly cooled off as the Thunder kept him to 10 points over the next 40 minutes. The 29-year-old, averaging a career-worst 3.5 turnovers, also committed a game-high five turnovers.
Despite a lukewarm performance in his first time back to OKC, George showed love to his former teammates after the final whistle.
George and the Clippers have to immediately put this upset behind them, though, with the Lakers looming on Christmas Day. The Clippers defeated the Lakers 112-102 in the season-opener, but the Lakers have looked the better squad in the time since.
It would have been nice to play better against his former team, but the Clippers need George to be at his best against the Lakers—even if it's just December:
That said, the Clippers traded for George in order to accentuate Leonard. The true gauge of where this team is at entering 2020 will come against the Lakers with both of them on the floor.
What's Next?
The Clippers will face the Lakers on Christmas Day at Staples Center for the first time since the regular-season opener.
The Thunder will host the 11-19 Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday. The Grizzlies visited Oklahoma City on Wednesday, and the Thunder prevailed 126-122.