Thunder Dominate Second Half, Hand Clippers Fifth Straight Loss in Blowout at Paycom Center
OKLAHOMA CITY - For a brief moment Thursday night, the Los Angeles Clippers looked like a team ready to punch back. They came out swinging, built an early lead, and showed flashes of the team they could be. But then came the second half - and the Oklahoma City Thunder reminded everyone why they’re sitting atop the NBA with a 25-2 record.
Behind a second-half surge led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a relentless defensive effort, the Thunder blew the doors off the Clippers in a 122-101 win at Paycom Center, extending their home winning streak to 13 games and pushing the Clippers deeper into a troubling spiral.
Clippers Start Hot Without Harden, But It Doesn’t Last
With James Harden sidelined due to a left calf contusion, the Clippers needed a collective effort to stay competitive. Early on, they got it.
Kawhi Leonard came out aggressive, scoring six straight points during a 12-0 run that gave L.A. an early 11-point cushion. The Clippers were moving the ball, attacking the paint, and hitting shots. For most of the first quarter and into the second, they looked composed and confident.
But momentum is a fragile thing in the NBA - and once the Thunder found their rhythm, the game turned fast.
Chet Holmgren was a major catalyst in that shift. The rookie big man poured in 18 of his 22 points in the first half, shooting an efficient 7-of-10 from the field. His ability to stretch the floor and finish around the rim opened up the offense, and the Thunder took full advantage.
By halftime, Oklahoma City had flipped the script entirely, outscoring the Clippers 37-22 in the second quarter to take a 64-55 lead into the break. The Clippers went cold, shooting just 33% from the field and 23% from three in the period - a rough stretch that set the tone for what was to come.
Shai Takes Over as Thunder Run Away in the Third
If the second quarter was the turning point, the third was the knockout punch.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, already having a strong night, went into takeover mode. He dropped 19 points in the third quarter alone, slicing through the Clippers’ defense with ease and putting the game out of reach before the fourth even began.
By the time the quarter ended, the Thunder had built a 103-83 lead. They shot 55.6% from the field in the third and outscored L.A. 39-28, fueled by a 25-8 run that completely deflated the visitors.
Alex Caruso’s steal-and-score midway through the third was emblematic of the Thunder’s energy. It pushed the lead to double digits and sent the crowd into a frenzy. From there, it was all Oklahoma City.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 32 points on 13-of-24 shooting, along with seven rebounds and six assists - all in just three quarters of work. It was his 98th straight game with at least 20 points, a streak that continues to climb into historic territory.
Jalen Williams added 20 points, and the Thunder once again showed off the kind of balance and depth that has made them the league’s most consistent team through the first two months of the season.
Turnovers Sink Clippers in Record-Setting Fashion
For all the Thunder’s firepower, this game was just as much about what the Clippers didn’t do - and that starts with taking care of the basketball.
Without Harden orchestrating the offense, the Clippers were chaotic and careless. They committed a staggering 29 turnovers - the most by any team in a single game this season - which led to 38 points for the Thunder.
To put that in perspective: the Clippers had more turnovers than made field goals (37). That’s not just a bad stat line - it’s a blueprint for disaster.
Cason Wallace led the Thunder with five of the team’s 18 steals, and Oklahoma City’s defense was locked in all night, swarming passing lanes and turning L.A.’s mistakes into easy transition buckets.
The result? The Clippers took 25 fewer shots than the Thunder - a number that’s nearly impossible to overcome, especially against a team this good.
Leonard Leads Scoring, But Help Is Limited
Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 22 points, and John Collins added 20, but the supporting cast couldn’t keep pace. Ivica Zubac chipped in a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, but the Clippers’ defensive breakdowns and offensive miscues overshadowed any individual performances.
With Harden out and Paul George continuing to miss time, the Clippers simply didn’t have enough firepower or cohesion to hang with a Thunder team firing on all cylinders.
Ty Lue Urges Toughness, Stresses Season Isn’t Over
Before the game, head coach Tyronn Lue addressed the team’s recent struggles - and made it clear that despite the mounting losses, there’s still time to turn things around.
“Just gotta be better. The season’s not over,” Lue said.
“We’re four games out of the Play-In. That’s gotta be our mindset going forward.”
He also spoke about Harden’s absence, emphasizing that the veteran guard doesn’t sit unless something’s seriously wrong - and that resting him was the right call.
“When he’s out, something’s really wrong with him,” Lue said. “Just thought it was smart for him to try to get right.”
Still, the numbers are hard to ignore. The Clippers have now lost five straight and 10 of their last 11. At 6-21, they’re tied with Sacramento for the second-worst record in the Western Conference.
What’s Next
The road doesn’t get any easier. The Clippers return home to face the Lakers on Saturday - a rivalry matchup that will test both their resolve and their ability to respond to adversity.
As for the Thunder, they continue to roll. After falling short in the NBA Cup semifinals against San Antonio, Oklahoma City has rebounded in dominant fashion and remains the league’s gold standard at 25-2.
If Thursday night was any indication, they’re not just winning - they’re evolving. And that should have the rest of the NBA on high alert.