Norman Powell scored a season-high 26 points off the bench, Paul George had 18 of his 21 points in the first quarter and the Los Angeles Clippers went on to rout the San Antonio Spurs 119-97 on Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena.
The Clippers improved to 10-7 on the season and have won their last two games by a combined 27 total points. The Spurs (6-11) have now lost four in a row and nine of their last 10 games after starting the season 5-2.
“Today was probably the best game we’ve played all season… This is it. This is the blueprint,” said Clippers coach Ty Lue.
George made three 3-pointers in the first period but played only 15 minutes before having to leave the game after tweaking his calf.
Related Stories
The Riley Youth Foundation Hosts Fourth Annual Fundraiser Gala
The UCLA/USC Rivalry Game Slated to Feature Two Black Quarterbacks
“A little soreness, but I’m okay,” said George following the game.
Powell and George combined to make 10 of the teams 21 threes on the night as the Clippers never trailed in the game, jumping out to an early 40-22 advantage in the first period. Reggie Jackson had 20 points for Los Angeles and finished 4-for-4 from three-point range.
“Whatever the team wants me to do on a nightly basis. That’s what I’m going to do,” said Powell, who was 5 of 8 from long distance.
Kawhi Leonard started for the second game of the season after sitting out 12 games due to right knee soreness. Leonard finished with 11 points and four assists in 22 minutes, John Wall added 15 assists off the bench, to go along with five points, four rebounds and four steals for the Clippers.
“I was trying to get 20, to be honest,” said Wall, who became the first Clippers player since Chris Paul (2017) to have at least that many. “My whole career I like to pass the ball.”
Jakob Poeltl led the way for San Antonio with a team-high 20 points. Doug McDermott had 13 points and Keldon Johnson added 11. Tre Jones had 10 assists for the Spurs.
The Clippers shot 52 percent from long-distance and held the Spurs to 26 percent shooting from three-point range, also forcing San Antonio into 15 turnovers.
Wall converted two free throws and Powell made a three to give the Clippers a 64-48 halftime lead.
Leonard finished an alley-oop from Wall early in the fourth to give Los Angeles a commanding 93-69 advantage and the Clippers were able to cruise to a 119-97 win over the Spurs.
“When my name is called, it’s time for me to make plays for my team,” Leonard said.
The Clippers will next host the Utah Jazz on Monday night at 7:30 p.m.
