Thunder outdo Clippers, history in sixth straight win to open season
The Oklahoma City Thunder (6-0) visited the Intuit Dome for the first time to face the Los Angeles Clippers (2-4), and left the new building undefeated for the longest opening stretch in OKC history. Entering the game, the Thunder had forced the most turnovers this season with the Clippers committing the third most turnovers in the NBA. The second game of the back-to-back would prove to be a much tougher test than the first game with Portland. Especially since the Thunder have struggled when playing the Clippers in Los Angeles, losing 10 of their last 11 games in LA.
The first quarter opened up with the Clippers taking the fight to the Thunder, forcing turnovers and closing up the paint by not allowing the Thunder to drive to the basket as they are accustomed to. Oklahoma City was making unusual turnovers with some sloppy passing, and the LA bench played lights out to go ahead at the end of the first quarter, 28-19.
The second quarter started off the same, with the Clippers forcing turnovers and shooting well behind the arc. The Thunder then began to fight back and chip away at the lead, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (13 points in the quarter). Alex Caruso picked up his fourth foul of the night in the second quarter. The Clippers led at the half 57-53.
Second Half Resurgence
In what has been the theme of this season, the second half saw a resurgent Thunder team start to wear down their opponent in the third quarter. The Thunder started attacking the basket and spacing the floor to cause problems for the Clippers defense and James Harden. The teams started trading buckets, but you could feel the momentum starting to shift with OKC closing the quarter ahead 81-78. The fourth quarter was all Oklahoma City, with Isaiah Joe (4-8 3PM) hitting two big threes in the quarter, and Jalen Williams having a strong showing in the quarter (he finished with 15 points after a slow start). Once the Thunder went up by ten on a Joe three with 9 minutes to go, the kept the Clippers at arm's length or better while finishing out yet another double-digit win, 105-92.
The Thunder now head home for a Monday night game against the Orlando Magic, while leaving the Clippers still searching for their first victory in their new home.