Thunder obliterate Griffin-less Clippers
It's time to sound the alarm in Los Angeles.
Following the devastating news that power forward Blake Griffin needs at least four weeks to recover from a staph infection, the shorthanded Los Angeles Clippers were embarrassed by the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday by a score of 131-108.
With the loss, the Clippers have now dropped four straight games by a combined margin of 52 points. Prior to their recent slide, the Clippers had not lost more than three consecutive games in the Doc Rivers era, dating back to 2013.
The Clippers managed to keep it close through the first quarter, before the Thunder built up a double-digit lead at the half. Reggie Jackson came alive in the second quarter, scoring 10 points without missing a shot to lead the Thunder to a 38-point quarter.
Things got even worse for the Clippers in the third quarter as the Thunder blew the doors open behind Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Durant repeatedly burned Matt Barnes for 10 points and four assists in the quarter, while Westbrook abused a tired and overburdened Chris Paul for 13 points. The Thunder led 101-75 after three frames before benches cleared.
Durant finished with a game-high 29 points, while Westbrook filled the boxscore with 19 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. Paul led the way for Los Angeles, scoring 18 points, grabbing six rebounds and recording 13 assists in the loss.
Snagging a win over the reeling Clippers helps Oklahoma City inch up in the standings, but it didn't come without recourse, as starting center Steven Adams left the game with a hand injury. Power forward Serge Ibaka also took a hard elbow to the head courtesy of an errant drive by Barnes.
At least some hope glimmers on the horizon for the Clippers, as shooting guard J.J. Redick may return from a wonky back sometime before the All-Star break. That will come in handy, as Los Angeles is slated to face three playoff teams in the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs next week.
The loss pushes the Clippers into seventh place, while the Thunder remain on the outside looking in at 1.5 games back of eighth.