As a symbol, the Warriors score their first points of the season at Chase Center on a 3-pointer from Stephen Curry (18 points, 6 assists). In the wake of their captain, Andrew Wiggins (29 points) and Jonathan Kuminga (12 points) bomb from afar while the Clippers dominate near the circle thanks to five passes from James Harden out of pick & roll, and a Derrick Jones Jr . (18 points) who manages two taps (34-34).
The Los Angeles defense forces five loose balls in the first five minutes of the second quarter, and Ivica Zubac, dominating inside, completes a 9-0 run for the Clippers (43-34). The return of Draymond Green and Stephen Curry, however, wakes up Golden State. Trayce Jackson-Davis regains control of the racket and a hot shot from Buddy Hield, including a 3+1, puts the Warriors back in the game (43-42). James Harden then takes advantage of three new lost balls to put the Clippers at +11, but Stephen Curry responds (59-54).
Returning from the locker room, to the great dismay of Steve Kerr, the Warriors continue to give ammunition to their opponent. Fortunately for them, the Clippers do not take advantage of it and 16 points from the Curry – Wiggins pair keep Golden State in ambush (74-72).
The double MVP, however, had to give up his place after twisting his ankle and Norman Powell (20 points) scored 12 of the Clippers' last 15 points to give them a seven-point lead (86-79).
In a very discreet Chase Center, Ivica Zubac and Nicolas Batum continue the Clippers' harvest of offensive rebounds and the gap reaches thirteen units (98-85).
Despite the absence of Stephen Curry, it is the trio Wiggins – Looney – Podziemski which rings the revolt of the Warriors. The defense raises its voice and it is now the Clippers who continue to lose balls while a winning shot from Andrew Wiggins brings Golden State to -1 with four minutes to play (101-100)!
James Harden, Norman Powell, and Ivica Zubac, the three best Clippers of the match, then took matters into their own hands to kill the match. As against the Nuggets the day before, Los Angeles did not panic and yet another 2+1 from the Croatian pivot offered a logical victory to Los Angeles.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– The Clippers dominate the possession battle. The Clippers finished the match with a skill more or less similar to that of their opponent (43% against 46%), but were able to win by attempting 16 more shots than the Warriors six minutes from the end of the match. To do this, Los Angeles caused 21 loose balls, which led to 21 points, and took 14 offensive rebounds, transformed into 21 points. While they were “back to back”, the Clippers dominated the match thanks to their intensity and energy. The Warriors woke up in the final five minutes to attempt a heist but it was too little too late.
– Ivia Zubac’s construction site in the racket. Faced with a Trayce Jackson-Davis who was too soft and a Draymond Green who was too small, Ivica Zubac wandered around throughout the meeting, finishing with 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 6 assists. In its wake, the Clippers tormented the Warriors near the circle. They finished the game with 58 points scored in the paint (51% of their points), compared to just 38 for Golden State.
– Good news and bad news for the Warriors. A few minutes before the end of the third quarter, Stephen Curry twisted his left ankle. He tried to keep it hot on the bench and returned at the start of the fourth quarter but aggravated his injury by trying to set a screen. He disappeared limping into the tunnel leading to the locker rooms. He could miss the next matches. Despite the defeat and Curry's injury, the Warriors can however be satisfied with Andrew Wiggins' start to the season. After setting his record for rebounds in a regular season game at Utah, he finished the game with 29 points on 11/15 shots.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
