INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The Los Angeles Clippers have long been known for creating challenges for themselves, and this proved true once again as they struggled to secure their first victory in their new arena. However, after five attempts, the Clippers finally succeeded on Monday night, overcoming a staggering 26-point deficit to claim a 113-104 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

Center Ivica Zubac, who contributed 17 points and 13 rebounds, commented on the team’s tendency to make things harder than they need to be. “That’s the Clippers way. We can’t do it the easy way; we always have to fight back and be dramatic, but a win is a win,” he remarked. Owner Steve Ballmer lightened the atmosphere before the game by joking that his brand-new $2 billion arena might be cursed, suggesting he might have to demolish it and start anew. However, the players felt the weight of the situation, understanding that breaking through was essential.

“I’m just happy to get that off our chest. Now we can go out there and play free. I think we did it in the second half,” added James Harden, who also scored 17 points. The evening began poorly for the Clippers, who found themselves down 40-14 by the end of the first quarter. Nevertheless, the team rallied, achieving their largest comeback from a first-quarter deficit in franchise history, surpassing a 23-point deficit they faced in a game against Boston back in February 2019.

Remarkable comebacks have become a hallmark of coach Tyronn Lue’s tenure with the Clippers over the past five seasons. The team had previously overcome a 35-point deficit in a game against Washington in January 2022 and had also bounced back from a 26-point deficit against Cleveland last season. Monday’s comeback now ranks as the third largest in franchise history since 1996, according to Sportradar.

Lue reflected on his team’s determination, stating, “We’ve been playing good and hard at home, but just coming up short for four games. We just stuck with it.” The Clippers managed to cut the deficit to eight points by halftime and entered the final quarter trailing by only four. A stunning 33-9 run late in the third quarter pushed them into the lead, showcasing their resilience and determination to win.

This game marked a historic moment for the Spurs, as they recorded one of the largest blown leads at the end of the first quarter. Interim coach Mitch Johnson, who is stepping in for Gregg Popovich due to health issues, noted the experience and skill of his team. “That’s a very well-coached team with a lot of veterans that have played in a lot of high-level games. There’s a lot of runs in games. I think we can learn about the attention to detail and the consistency of simple basketball,” he explained.

The Clippers are expected to draw additional attention during their next home game, as they host the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night. This matchup is of particular interest as Paul George recently made his season debut for the 76ers after transferring from the Clippers during the offseason. Zubac expressed his excitement about facing his former teammate, stating, “He was a great teammate, great friend. It’s going to be fun playing against him.”