The Los Angeles Clippers’ difficult start to the season continued on Monday night as they squandered a 17-point lead in a 105-102 home loss to the Atlanta Hawks. The defeat marked the Clippers’ fifth consecutive loss, dropping their record to a concerning 3-7 in a loaded Western Conference.
Krejci’s Career Night Fuels Hawks’ Comeback
The Hawks, playing without star guard Trae Young, were powered by an unlikely hero. Vit Krejci erupted for a career-high 28 points off the bench, including a remarkable eight 3-pointers on just 10 attempts. Krejci was instrumental in Atlanta’s second-quarter rally, hitting four threes during a 20-3 run that erased the Clippers’ early advantage and turned the game into a tight contest.
Kristaps Porzingis, returning from an illness, added 20 points, and Jalen Johnson contributed a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. The shorthanded Hawks showed impressive resilience on the road, overcoming their early deficit to secure a hard-fought victory.
Los Angeles Clippers’ Slide Continues Despite Harden’s Efforts
For the Clippers, the loss was another frustrating chapter in what has been a disappointing start. James Harden did everything he could to carry the team, finishing with a triple-double of 35 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds. He was particularly brilliant in the fourth quarter, scoring 19 points and hitting a four-point play to pull the Clippers within one possession in the final minute. However, his last-second attempt to tie the game fell short.
The Clippers were once again without their stars, as Kawhi Leonard missed his fourth straight game with an ankle injury and Bradley Beal was ruled out with a hip issue. While their absences are a major factor, the team’s inability to close out games and build momentum is becoming a troubling pattern.
An Alarming Start in the West
Falling to 3-7 is a significant setback for a Clippers team that entered the season with championship aspirations. The Western Conference is as competitive as ever, and a slow start can be difficult to overcome. With each loss, the pressure mounts on the star-studded roster to find chemistry and start stacking wins. While injuries have played a major role, the team has struggled to find a consistent rhythm. The Clippers must find a way to turn things around quickly before they dig themselves into a hole that is too deep to climb out of.
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