RECAP: Clippers Outlast Thunder 93-91, Westbrook Injured In First Half
The Los Angeles Clippers escaped a few late surges from the Oklahoma City Thunder and made late free throws to win 93-91 in their regular season opener on Thursday night. Blake Griffin led the Clippers with 23 points and 7 rebounds. Chris Paul had 22 points and 7 assists.
Oklahoma City was already without reigning MVP Kevin Durant, and their second All-Star Russell Westbrook suffered a right hand injury late in the first half which led to the following encounter with a fan before he exited:
This was @russwest44 getting into it with a fan on his way to the locker room https://t.co/aDBuc7nSvu
— NBA Courtside (@NBACourtside_) October 31, 2014
Without Westbrook the Thunder had to do even more scrapping to keep themselves in the game, but they did that by holding the Clippers to 7-for-30 from the three-point line and getting a major contribution from Jones. They still committed 22 turnovers, some of which came at late points in the game when they needed to make a play.
The Clippers never found a fluent rhythm offensively. They experienced a 13-point drought in the second quarter and also shot under 40% from the field for the game. Doc Rivers’ club only had 17 assists to 11 turnovers, but kept themselves afloat just enough to pull away in the end.
