In a tightly contested NBA Cup game on Friday night, the Los Angeles Clippers secured a 113‑112 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, snapping the Thunder’s three‑game losing streak. The win came after a dramatic finish that saw the Clippers score the final seven points of the game.
Key Performances
Brook Lopez led the Clippers with 26 points, while Darius Garland contributed 24 and added a crucial three‑point play with under a minute left to seal the win. For the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander (SGA) delivered a standout 40‑point effort, but missed a 21‑foot jumper at the buzzer that could have clinched the game.
Supporting the Clippers, Derrick Jones Jr. and rookie Keaton Wagler each added 14 points, and Gradey Dick chipped in 13. The Thunder’s Jared McCain scored 23 points, shooting an impressive 7‑of‑11 from three‑point range, and Isaiah Hartenstein posted a double‑double with 21 points and 16 rebounds.
Game Flow
The Clippers built a 57‑44 halftime lead, buoyed by Lopez’s 12 points before the break. The Thunder struggled from beyond the arc early, making only 2 of 17 three‑pointers in the first two quarters. Oklahoma City rallied in the third, outscoring Los Angeles 40‑25 and improving their three‑point shooting to 5 of 11.
With 3:01 left, SGA hit a leaning three‑pointer to give the Thunder a 110‑106 lead. The Clippers responded, narrowing the gap to 112‑106 with 2:43 remaining. A decisive 7‑0 run, highlighted by Lopez’s two late baskets, put the Clippers ahead. Garland’s three‑point play with 50.4 seconds left cemented the lead, and the Thunder could not recover.
Injuries and Lineups
The Thunder were without key starters Chet Holmgren (knee), Jalen Williams (leg) and Cason Wallace (shoulder), who have been sidelined since late October. To compensate, Oklahoma City started two 7‑footers—Isaiah Hartenstein and rookie Aday Mara—marking the second straight game and fourth time this season they employed this strategy. Mara contributed 10 points and three blocks.
Looking Ahead
Next up, the Thunder travel to Sacramento on Sunday for their next road game, while the Clippers host the Charlotte Hornets at home on Sunday.
This win gives the Clippers their second victory in three games after a difficult start to the season, improving morale as they continue to compete in the NBA Cup series.
Original reporting: KOCO Sports (Oklahoma City) — read the source article.
