The Los Angeles Clippers had a great start to the season in the 2020-21 season. After a debut night victory over defending champion Los Angeles Lakers, the Clippers appeared in Denver on Christmas Day and took revenge on the Nuggets with a 121-108 victory.
Paul George led the way with 23 points, five rebounds and nine assists, while Kawhi Leonard – who came out in the fourth period after taking an inadvertent nudge from Serge Ibaka in the face – had 21 points, five rebounds, seven assists and four steals. As a team, the Clippers were great on the offensive side, shooting 55.4 percent off the field, knocking down 19 points out of 3 and assisting 32 of their 41 goals scored.
The Nuggets had a small run in the fourth period and, for a few minutes, it looked like they were on the verge of yet another big comeback against the Clippers. But they never made it to a single digit, largely due to their total inability to stop. After reaching the Western Conference finals last season, the Nuggets are now 0-2 to start this campaign.
Here are three main lessons from the end of Christmas Day:
1. Clippers make a statement
The Clippers ended the season in an embarrassing manner, taking a 3-1 lead to the Nuggets in the second round of the playoffs, despite having a double-digit lead in the final three games. If the first two games of the new season are any indication, they felt the pain of defeat and an entire off-season of jokes at their expense.
On opening night, they took care of defending champions Lakers without too much trouble and, at Christmas, they took revenge on the Nuggets just as painlessly. Two striking opponents, two big wins. It would have been difficult to make a better start script for the Clippers.
Obviously, there is a long way to go this season, but those first two games were a clear statement from the Clippers that they are planning things to be different this year. With a new coach, more continuity among their stars and a lot of motivation, the Clippers have all the ingredients to make a championship run.
2. Offensive clinic
With Leonard and George leading the way, the Clippers have one of the league’s most explosive offenses. Last season, the only team with a better offensive rating than them was the Dallas Mavericks, who literally set the most efficient attack record in league history. It doesn’t look like things are going to be different this season.
The Clippers ran an offensive clinic at Christmas, while doing what they wanted against a Nuggets team that was admittedly not offering much resistance. Los Angeles threw 55.4 percent of the field, 50 percent of the 3-point field and 83.3 percent of the line, drained 19 points out of 3 and helped 32 of his 41 baskets.
It was very easy for them to separate the Nuggets, especially with the additional creation provided by Nic Batum and Luke Kennard. Neither was the most exciting acquisition of the off-season – even Ibaka received more attention – but they will really help the Clippers team. Having more wings that they can create for others is a big boost for a list that lacks traditional shipowners.
3. Kawhi falls, but looks good
At the end of the fourth period, Leonard was rocked by Ibaka’s brutal and inadvertent nudge when they were recovering. Leonard collapsed on the floor as the game descended on the other side of the floor, and on the next whistle the camera panned back to find him lying with blood dripping from his mouth.
After being examined by the medical team, he managed to leave the court on his own, but was obviously ready for the game. The team later announced that Leonard needed eight stitches to close the wound in his mouth and, speaking to reporters after the game, Clippers coach Ty Lue said his star “will be fine”.
This is great news for Leonard and the Clippers, because at first glance it looked like he was in serious trouble. The slow-motion view of Ibaka’s elbow colliding with Leonard’s face looked like a UFC highlight, and there was a grotesque amount of blood. Next for the Clippers is the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday afternoon. It is not yet clear whether Leonard will be available for this game.