NBA: Clippers beat Thunder for 9th win in 11 games
Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George, left, shoots as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, center and forward Kenrich Williams defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LOS ANGELES — Paul George scored 18 of his season-high 38 points in the fourth quarter and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 128-117 on Tuesday night for their ninth win in 11 games in the NBA.
Kawhi Leonard and James Harden added 16 points apiece to complete a big day for the franchise. Earlier, Commissioner Adam Silver announced the 2026 All-Star Game will be held at the Clippers’ under-construction arena in Inglewood, where they begin play next season.
Article continues after this advertisementJalen Williams scored 25 points and Lu Dort and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander each added 19 points for the Thunder, the West’s No. 2 team that has dropped two in a row after winning nine of 12 coming into Los Angeles.
After trailing by 13 points in the third, the Thunder stormed back to lead 115-114 on a 3-pointer by Williams.
That’s when George took over.
Article continues after this advertisementPaul George was COOKING tonight in the Clippers W 🧑🍳
38 PTS | 7 REB | 5 AST | 3 STL | 6 3PM pic.twitter.com/nO0mzdmEyx
— NBA (@NBA) January 17, 2024
He scored 11 of the Clippers’ final 14 points for an empathetic end to what started out as a back-and-forth game early in the fourth. He hit two 3-pointers and ended the surge with a steal and one-handed dunk.
The Thunder closed to 79-77 in the third on a 9-0 run that began and ended with 3-pointers by Isaiah Joe.
The Clippers answered with a 20-12 run capped by consecutive 3-pointers by Daniel Theis and Norman Powell to lead 99-89 going into fourth.
Clippers center Ivica Zubac missed his second straight game with a right calf strain and will be re-evaluated in a month. Mason Plumlee had 14 points in his first start of the season in Zubac’s place.
NEXT SCHEDULE
Thunder: At Utah Jazz on Thursday.
Clippers: Host the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.
