The LA Clippers' 115-113 loss to the Houston Rockets last Thursday wasn’t just another close game-it was a snapshot of two franchises moving in opposite directions. If you want to understand what separates a well-constructed contender from a team stuck in neutral, look no further than the rebounding column.
Rebounding tells the whole story
Houston dominated the glass, pulling down a staggering 22 offensive rebounds to the Clippers’ eight. That’s not just a bad night-it’s LA’s worst rebounding margin since January 2022. The final sequence, in particular, was a microcosm of the Clippers’ season.
With the score tied at 110 and 23 seconds left, LA had a chance to get a stop and potentially win the game. Instead, they gave up three straight offensive rebounds on one possession.
Reed Sheppard missed a contested three, but Alperen Şengün grabbed the board. Then he grabbed another.
Then another. Finally, Amen Thompson tipped in the go-ahead bucket-and drew the foul.
He knocked down the free throw to give Houston a 113-110 lead with 17.2 seconds left.
The Clippers had veterans on the floor-James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Nicolas Batum, and Ivica Zubac. Guys who’ve been through playoff wars.
Guys who know how to close games. But in that moment, none of them boxed out.
None of them fought for the ball. They just stood and watched while the Rockets’ young core outworked them.
This wasn’t a fluke-it’s who Houston is
What happened on that final possession wasn’t some lucky bounce. Houston is elite on the boards.
They rank among the top three in the league in rebounding and are one of the few teams grabbing over 40% of their offensive rebound chances. That’s a team that understands effort, hustle, and how to create extra possessions-the kind that win close games.
The Clippers, on the other hand, are struggling with the basics. And that’s not something you can fix with star power alone.
Two rebuilds, two outcomes
This game also served as a stark reminder of how differently these two teams approached their respective rebuilds.
James Harden left Houston in 2021 in search of a championship. The Rockets hit reset, drafted smartly-adding Şengün, Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., and Tari Eason-and made bold moves like flipping Jalen Green for Kevin Durant. Now, four years later, they’re 16-7 and sitting fifth in the Western Conference, looking like a team that could make real noise in the postseason.
Meanwhile, the Clippers are 6-20, fielding the oldest roster in NBA history, with limited draft capital and little margin for error. They bet big on aging stars, hoping their names alone would carry them. But basketball doesn’t work that way-not when you’re getting outworked on the glass and out-executed in crunch time.
After the game, Harden spoke about Houston’s growth with a sense of admiration. “Amazing,” he said.
“You know, Alpi, Amen - Jabari, their growth. Then you add KD into the mix.
They’re a good team.”
No bitterness. Just acknowledgment that Houston did it right.
Crunch time woes continue for LA
The Clippers are now 2-10 in clutch games-defined as contests within five points in the final five minutes. Since November, they’ve dropped 10 of their last 11 in those situations.
That’s not bad luck. That’s a pattern.
When the game tightens up, the Clippers don’t execute. Whether it’s missed boxouts, poor shot selection, or defensive lapses, they’ve found ways to lose. In contrast, the Rockets have shown poise beyond their years, executing late-game situations with a mix of youthful energy and veteran savvy.
The bottom line
Houston’s win wasn’t just about a single play or even a single game. It was about identity.
The Rockets know who they are-young, aggressive, relentless-and they play like it. They’ve built something sustainable, with a clear vision and a roster that complements itself.
The Clippers? They’re still searching.
For chemistry. For consistency.
For answers.
And until they start doing the little things-like boxing out with the game on the line-they’ll keep coming up short.