Image Source: Grant Mona
Key Takeaways
- The Los Angeles Clippers’ seven wins in eight games streak came to an end with a 123-111 loss to the New York Knicks
- Kawhi Leonard had a strong first half but went cold in the second half, scoring only four more points
- Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks to a comeback victory, with Brunson scoring 26 points and Towns dominating the fourth quarter
- The Clippers’ role players struggled to provide support when their stars were not performing well
- The loss is a setback for the Clippers, who had been climbing back into contention for a Western Conference play-in spot
Introduction to the Game
The Los Angeles Clippers saw their impressive seven wins in eight games run come to a halt with a disappointing 123-111 loss to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night. As the Clippers’ head coach Tyronn Lue noted, "I thought defensively we did some really good things, and Brunson really took over the game down the stretch." The loss dropped the Clippers’ record to 13-23, while the Knicks improved to 24-13 and snapped their own four-game losing streak. James Harden returned from a one-game absence due to a sore right shoulder and contributed 23 points and nine assists, but it was not enough to lead the Clippers to victory.
First Half Performance
Kawhi Leonard looked like his dominant self early, pouring in 21 points in the first half to help Los Angeles build a 56-51 halftime lead. The Clippers controlled most of the first half and maintained their defensive intensity through three quarters. However, as Coach Lue pointed out, "Kawhi, I think offensively, had a really good first half, but in the second half, they said they were not going to let him play, they blitzed his pick-and-rolls and were packing the paint, and we just couldn’t make shots in that second half." This adjustment by the Knicks’ defense proved to be a turning point in the game.
Second Half Struggles
The Clippers’ offense stalled in the second half, particularly in the decisive fourth quarter, where they were outscored 33-24. Kawhi Leonard went completely cold after the break, adding just four more points and going scoreless in the crucial fourth quarter when his team desperately needed offensive production. As Coach Lue noted, the Knicks’ defense was able to key on other players, making it difficult for the Clippers to score. Ivica Zubac provided one of the few bright spots with 22 points on an efficient 11-of-14 shooting and 11 rebounds, but the Clippers’ role players couldn’t provide enough support when the stars struggled.
Knicks’ Comeback
The Knicks, led by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, made a devastating 24-7 run that started late in the third quarter and extended into the fourth. This run transformed an 87-83 Clippers lead into a 105-92 deficit that essentially ended any hopes of a comeback. Brunson torched the Clippers for 26 points on 9-of-12 shooting, including 4-of-5 from three-point range, while Towns dominated the fourth quarter with 10 of his 20 points in the final frame. The Clippers were unable to recover from this deficit, ultimately losing the game 123-111.
Aftermath and Implications
The loss is particularly frustrating for Los Angeles given their recent surge, having won seven of their previous eight games to climb within striking distance of the Western Conference play-in positions. Now, they’ll need to regroup quickly as they continue their difficult road trip while trying to salvage what’s been a disappointing season. As Coach Lue and the Clippers look to bounce back from this loss, they will need to find a way to overcome the defensive adjustments made by the Knicks and get their stars playing at a high level again. The Clippers’ role players will also need to step up and provide more support when the stars are struggling. With a long and difficult road ahead, the Clippers will need to regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push for the playoffs.
https://www.thesportingtribune.com/2026/01/07/clippers-fade-down-stretch-in-new-york