In a thrilling showdown, the San Antonio Spurs triumphed over the Los Angeles Clippers, wrapping up 2024 on a high note and seeking revenge for their previous defeat on 4 November.
A standout performance by Victor Wembanyama saw the Spurs dominate the game, with Wembanyama showcasing his attacking prowess by continuously driving towards the basket and securing key points in the Clippers vs. Spurs match.
The Spurs maintained a strong lead throughout the game, with their advantage peaking at an impressive 41 points while stifling the Clippers to a mere 34 percent shooting accuracy.
The Clippers were without Kawhi Leonard once again, while the Spurs had their full team at their disposal. The Spurs had enjoyed a healthy stretch recently, which had been a great help for them.
Now that they had their roles established, they needed to focus on improving their teamwork. Meanwhile, the Clippers were also missing some key players:
- Kawhi Leonard – Out (Knee)
- Terance Mann – Out (Finger)
- PJ Tucker – Out (Personal reasons)
Coach Mitch Johnson commended the team’s robust defense postgame, highlighting their exceptional physicality and sharp execution of the game plan. The Spurs displayed seamless transitions from offense to defense, revealing a strong and well-coordinated performance.
Traditionally known for slow starts, the Spurs surprised everyone with their rapid pace from the opening whistle. Wembanyama set the tone early by showcasing remarkable defense, shutting down Ivica Zubac and dominating both inside the paint and from the corners.
Jeremy Sochan also made a significant impact with a pair of emphatic dunks, prompting the Clippers to call their first timeout as the Spurs jumped ahead with a 14-6 lead. However, a brief shift in momentum occurred when Wembanyama took a breather, allowing the Clippers to respond with an 11-6 run.
Big night for the rook 😎 @StephonCastle
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 1, 2025
📊: 15 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST pic.twitter.com/QQO7xHxY8J
Upon Wembanyama’s return, he resumed his offensive onslaught, sinking jump shots and driving aggressively to the rim. By the end of the first quarter, Wembanyama had gathered an impressive 17 points, single-handedly matching the Clippers’ total output, shooting a remarkable 86 percent.
The rest of the team contributed with six successful shots out of 15 attempts, resulting in a commanding 31-17 lead after the initial period, with James Harden being the primary threat for the Clippers, contributing 13 points.
What a way to close out the year 🎉
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 1, 2025
See y'all in 2025! pic.twitter.com/v2oBVPHmtF
The second quarter saw the Spurs’ defense step up, limiting the Clippers to 9 out of 21 shot attempts and forcing three turnovers. Wembanyama and Zach Collins proved disruptive near the basket, while Stephon Castle applied pressure on the ball handler with an effective full-court press.
Offensive efforts resulted in successful screen plays and transition baskets, although the momentum waned towards halftime as the Spurs missed their last five attempts, concluding the first half with a 63-43 lead.
Key statistics included 26 points scored in the paint, five from second chances, 14 on the break, and 13 off turnovers.
Entering the third quarter, Castle took charge, halting the Clippers’ offensive flow with his defensive prowess, creating disruptions and turnovers that propelled the Spurs’ fastbreak scores.
Wembanyama and Julian Champagnie also made significant offensive contributions, underscoring the team’s depth and versatility.
Norman Powell, renowned as one of the league’s sharpshooters, struggled to find his range, prompting Clippers’ coach Tyronn Lue to make tactical substitutions, albeit to little avail.
The Spurs maintained defensive pressure, holding the Clippers to a mere eight successful shots out of 22 attempts in the third quarter, with an impressive run of five consecutive misses at the start.
The final quarter commenced with the Spurs comfortably ahead by 28 points, prompting Coach Johnson to rest his starting players and allow the substitutes more playing time.
The remainder of the game unfolded as a display of dominance by the Spurs, securing a resounding 122-86 victory. The team showcased 62 points scored in the paint, 12 from second chances, 32 on fastbreak opportunities, and 21 off turnovers, highlighting their all-around performance.
What a night for @wemby!
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 1, 2025
📊: 27 PTS, 9 REB, 5 AST, 3 BLK
Vote #NBAAllStar 🌟 https://t.co/ovVcT12eok pic.twitter.com/6rSxFZGTIc
Reflecting on Wembanyama’s stellar performance in December, Coach Johnson emphasized the player’s enhanced physicality, improved fundamentals, and remarkable consistency in executing plays.
Wembanyama’s standout performances have been a testament to his growth and impact on the team’s success.
In conclusion, the Spurs’ impressive victory over the Clippers exhibits their strength, cohesion, and resilience. Wembanyama’s stellar play, coupled with a cohesive team effort, propelled the Spurs to a well-deserved win, setting the stage for future exciting matchups in the Clippers-Spurs rivalry.
They haven’t beaten the Los Angeles Clippers since January 15, 2022, facing an eight-game losing streak. Kawhi Leonard has played in some games and missed others, but whether he’s there or not, the Clippers have been a tough matchup for San Antonio.
Game Notes: Clippers vs. Spurs
- In the Clippers vs. Spurs matchup, the Clippers had a tough time guarding Wembanyama because they used smaller players. Zubac and Mohamed Bamba didn’t have the speed to stay with him. This worked well for Wembanyama, as seven of his 10 baskets came against the smaller guys.
- Stephon Castle played really well in this LA Clippers vs. Spurs game. He scored 15 points by making five out of eight shots. He also got four rebounds, four assists, one steal, one block, and had only one turnover. His baskets came from screen rolls, fast breaks, and a jump shot from the baseline.
- Keldon Johnson was another key player off the bench in the Clippers vs. Spurs match. He scored 17 points, shooting 63.6%. He also had six rebounds, one assist, and one turnover. Most of his points came from fast breaks, and he only made one 3-pointer. One of his baskets came from a pass by Wembanyama.
- Jeremy Sochan played the least amount of minutes among the starters, with only 20. He got hurt in the first half and didn’t return for the San Antonio Spurs vs. LA Clippers match. He had four points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one turnover. Coach Johnson didn’t say what happened to him after the game.
- The Spurs played great defense, holding the Clippers to 55% shooting in the restricted area, which is lower than the average. The Spurs also spent a lot of time in fast breaks, using 29.6% of their offense that way, which is really good. Fans who wanted to catch the Clippers vs. Spurs live stream had the chance to see this action-packed game.
- Looking at the Clippers vs. Spurs box score, it was clear that the Spurs had the upper hand. The Clippers vs. Spurs odds favored the Spurs, and they delivered a strong performance in this Clippers vs. Spurs last game.
This game between the Spurs vs. Clippers showed off the Spurs’ strengths and gave fans plenty of exciting moments as both teams look forward to their next games! Keep an eye out for the next San Antonio Spurs vs. Clippers matchup to see how the teams continue to evolve!