INGLEWOOD, Calif. — After beginning 2024-25 with a 0-4 record at Intuit Dome, the Los Angeles Clippers are 2-0 at home to start the 2025-26 season.
The Clippers took down the Portland Trail Blazers 114-107 on Sunday despite a sloppy second quarter. The bout was only the Blazers’ second game since head coach Chauncey Billups’ arrest as part of an illegal sports gambling investigation.
With Bradley Beal sidelined against the Trail Blazers, Clippers head coach went with Bogdan Bogdanovic in the starting five. Although Bogdanovic’s scoreless performance left much to be desired, a combined 25 bench points from Kris Dunn and John Collins aided LA’s new-look starting lineup.
The trio of Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and Ivica Zubac took charge right away before the Clips started to fall apart in the second frame. Harden notched his second double-double of the season with 20 points and 13 assists; Zubac blocked two shots and dropped 21 points; and Leonard led all players with 30 points, plus 10 rebounds.
LA’s second-quarter struggles stemmed from turnover and fouling issues. The Clippers surrendered the ball 24 times, allowing 30 points off turnovers, and gave up 34 free-throw attempts while taking only 15. Portland also had 29 fast-break points compared to LA’s 10.
The second quarter featured poor shot selection, soft passes and slow offense for the Clippers. But they turned it around in the second half, outscoring the Blazers 55-47 during the final 24 minutes.
The Clippers will travel to San Francisco to face the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. Talk of Troy reporter Kasey Kazliner analyzed Sunday’s game from Inglewood on Unclipped, TOT’s Clippers podcast.