The Los Angeles Clippers long awaited unveiling of the Intuit Dome in Inglewood came on Monday night in an exhibition game.
The new $2 billion arena holds 18,000 fans and many players right away took a liking to their new state-of-the-art home.
“It’s cracking. It’s cracking in here… The screen and the fans and the lights around the seats. It’s gonna be a good season for us. It’s gonna be fun to watch,” said Clippers star James Harden.
“Probably one of the best arenas I’ve ever stepped foot in,” said Clippers forward Derrick Jones, who finished with 12 points on 6-of-11 shooting in 23 minutes.
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Harden finished with 10 points, 12 assists and three steals in 23 minutes, as the Clippers captured a 110-96 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
The Clippers 10-time All-Star guard will be relied on more than ever before as two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard is sidelined while recovering from offseason knee surgery.
“He’s done all the right things. He’s been a great leader, on and off the floor. He was in the same situation a lot of times in Houston, so he’s up for a challenge, said Clippers coach Tyronn Lue on Harden.”
As for Leonard, he was unable to suit up for the Clippers four preseason games and has been out since Game 3 of their playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks last season.
“Continue to keep rehabbing, keep getting better, keep checking the boxes,” Lue said on Leonard.
Newly acquired Clippers guard Kevin Porter Jr. led Los Angeles with 18 points while adding six assists and three steals off the bench. Ivica Zubac recorded a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds and had four steals in 24 minutes.
The Mavs took the court without Luka Doncic, who is nursing a calf contusion and Kyrie Irving sat out for rest purposes.
“We want to get out of this (preseason) thing healthy,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd said. “We want to be at full strength come the 24th (of October on opening day).
Quentin Grimes led Dallas with 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting, Jaden Hardy added 16 points and Jazian Gortman had 13. Klay Thompson finished 0-for-9 from the field and missed all six of his three-point attempts.
“It’s preseason. He’s working his way through with a new group from both the defensive end and the offensive end. Be patient. Keep working.” The staff still has faith, even after a bad stretch,” said Kidd on Thompson.
The Mavericks held a 26-25 lead after the first period before the Clippers ultimately took a 56-51 halftime advantage.
Los Angeles used a 17-2 run in the third quarter after a Harden three-pointer and Norman Powell converted a pair of free throws to give the Clippers a 73-53 lead five minutes into the third period.
The Clippers went on to outscore the Mavericks 27-21 in the fourth and Dallas was unable to make a run late in the game, resulting in a 110-96 win for Los Angeles.
“We got to continue building the right habits, make sure we’re executing the right way on both sides of basketball,” said Lue.
The Clippers will prepare for its season opener hosting the Phoenix Suns on October 23 only before closing out its preseason action with a home game against the Sacramento Kings on Thursday, October 17.
