INGLEWOOD, Calif. — In a tightly contested game, the Los Angeles Clippers managed to secure a narrow victory over the Toronto Raptors with a final score of 105-103 on Saturday night, marking their fourth consecutive win. James Harden shone with a strong performance, contributing 24 points and 12 rebounds. Teammate Norman Powell also added 24 points to the scoreboard.
Ivica Zubac made an impact for the Clippers, registering 14 points alongside 12 rebounds. The victory marked a notable turnaround for the team, particularly at their Intuit Dome where they had initially struggled, losing their first four games before this win streak.
On the Raptors’ side, Ochai Agbaji and Immanuel Quickley led the way with 21 points each. However, the loss continued a rough patch for Toronto, as they have now dropped three straight games and seven of their last eight matches.
With just 39 seconds left in the game and the score tied, Quickley hit a crucial three-pointer. Unfortunately for the Raptors, Powell and Harden later stumbled at the free-throw line, missing three out of six attempts, which left a glimmer of hope for Toronto. However, Quickley and RJ Barrett could not convert tough shots under pressure, and Jakob Poeltl’s putback attempt fell short with only 4.1 seconds remaining, sealing the Clippers’ victory.
In addition, Clippers’ coach Tyronn Lue confirmed that star player Kawhi Leonard remains sidelined this season as he continues to recover from a right knee injury and will not accompany the team on their upcoming three-game road trip.
Takeaways from the game include Quickley’s impressive fourth-quarter performance in his first outing after an eight-game absence due to a pelvic bruise. For the Clippers, this win showcased their ability to bounce back, especially after playing their third back-to-back set of games already this season since their win against the Sacramento Kings the previous night.
A crucial moment in the game involved Poeltl, who was attempting to chip away at a three-point deficit. He made his first free throw and then intentionally missed his second, hoping to grab the rebound for another shot. However, his subsequent putback attempt from nine feet failed, leading to Harden pushing the ball down the court for the Clippers.
Additionally, Kevin Porter Jr. had a noteworthy performance, scoring 15 points. This marked his best outing since returning to the NBA this fall, after being out for a year due to a domestic violence charge in September 2023. He had averaged 19.3 points per game while playing for Houston in the 2022-23 season.
Looking ahead, the Clippers will face the Thunder on Monday, while the Raptors will remain in Los Angeles to take on the Lakers on Sunday.