Clippers Storm By Thunder 120-98

By Connor Aylward
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Updated: January 16, 2017

Judging by the cliched headline I threw up there you can probably guess the Clippers extended their winning streak to seven with a 120-98 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

However this game was anything but ordinary for Los Angeles.

A hot start by DeAndre Jordan and Chris Paul helped their Clippers build a solid lead. Thwarting Russell Westbrook and dominating both ends of the floor, the Clippers were running away with this matchup of two playoff probable teams. But just minutes before halftime Paul collided with Westbrook and flashbacks of last season’s playoff series against Portland came flooding back. Kicking a chair as he immediately headed to the locker room holding his hand, all Clippers fans were holding their breath.

Sprained left thumb for Chris Paul. Out for rest of game.

— Rowan Kavner (@RowanKavner) January 17, 2017

With a 17 point lead at the half the story now became about how Los Angeles would react without not just one but two of their star players.

Raymond Felton seamlessly stepped right in. Finishing his night with 15 points and 6 assists the former Tar Heel started turning heads.

It certainly didn’t hurt Felton’s performance having two big men step up and help out, Jordan and Mo Speights each getting a double-double. Jordan with 19 points and 15 rebounds and Speights getting 23 points and 10 boards while knocking down 3 three-pointers.

The other Clippers guards didn’t exactly phone it in with their leader out either though. JJ Redick hit 5 threes of his own and closed out his night with 20 points. Meanwhile Austin Rivers had 16 points and 6 assists.

Oklahoma City’s key to winning games this season has been Westbrook getting triple-doubles. That’s not exactly groundbreaking I know but when he doesn’t record a triple-double his teams chances of winning drop dramatically. Apparently Doc Rivers stressed to his team to make the rest of the Thunder beat them and shut down Westbrook. He would only have 24 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists by the time the game was done.

A great win for the Clippers but undoubtedly fans will be keeping a close eye on that hand of Chris Paul moving forward.

Los Angeles will look to extend the winning streak to eight with the Timberwolves coming up on Thursday.

Thanks for reading along Clipper Nation. Here’s to the Clippers getting healthy.

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