Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, right, shoots as Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga defends during the first half at Crypto Arena in Los Angeles on Tue Feb 14, 2023 (AP News photo)

Fully Loaded Clippers Beat Warriors 134-124

By Barbara Mason

Tuesday night the Golden State Warriors (29-29) took on the Los Angeles Clippers (32-28) at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and couldn’t hold on getting beat by ten points 134-124. The Warriors came off a win Monday night against the Washington Wizards 135-126 at Chase Center in San Francisco. After trailing in the first quarter of that game, the Warriors turned the game around scoring 42 points in the second quarter.

Andrew Wiggins had his best game since his return to the court although he was not in the starting roster for Monday’s game which will make this game even tougher for Golden State. The Clippers on the other hand are fully loaded with their entire lineup healthy.

The Clippers took an early lead in the opening quarter 31-23. Los Angeles kept pushing taking a ten-point lead before the Warriors began to turn things around.

With seven minutes left in the half Golden State trailed by a single point 42-41. With 6:42 left in the second quarter the Warriors took the lead 43-42 in an impressive turnaround. At the half the Warriors had managed a 16 point reversal and led 65-61.

They won the second quarter 42-30 and had four players in double digits, Jordan Poole, Jonathan Kuminga and Anthony Lamb all had scored 11 points. Donte DiVincenzo had ten points and the tide of this game had turned in the second quarter. This was the second game in a row that the Warriors had a 42 point second quarter.

Golden State needed to take the same energy into the second half. They only had five turnovers so they were protecting the ball and the defense was cooking against a very tough duo in Paul George and Kawhi Leonard.

As good as the Warriors had played, the Clippers were equal to the task and erased the Warriors half time lead. With 6:22 left in the third quarter Los Angeles led 84-83. The Clippers continued to press and with 2:59 left in the quarter led 96-89. The Warriors began to suffer mental lapses committing turnovers and empty possessions. Los Angeles had their largest lead of the night 105-93 after three quarters.

The Warriors offense went cold in the fourth quarter. Golden State ran into a fully loaded Clipper team and suffered their 29th loss of the season 134-124. The absence of Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins has been a challenge for Golden State and they were unable to keep the pressure on the Clippers for four quarters.

Every starter for the Warriors had double digits, Jordan Poole with the high of 28 points. The bench had 42 points but the loss of focus in the second half was the deciding factor that beat the Warriors. Golden State is now 29-29 going into the All-Star game.

Next game for the Warriors Thu Feb 23 at Crypto Arena in Los Angeles against the Los Angeles Lakers. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.