On Monday, the LA Clippers have unveiled their new brand look, establishing a set of marks that blend the team’s past, present, and focus on the future in a familiar but elevated colorway of naval blue, ember red, and Pacific blue.
The look includes a modernized version of the classic Clippers script that will adorn the front of the Icon and Association Edition jerseys next season. The new primary logo features a Clippers “C” that surrounds the points of a compass and an oncoming ship with basketball seams on the hull, a nod to the organization’s maritime roots and a symbol of its direction.
The team will wear uniforms and merchandise displaying the new logo and colors in the 2024-25 NBA season as the Clippers begin play in their new home, Intuit Dome.
Kawhi Leonard has been balling, and the NBA recognized his excellent performances from the past week. On Monday, the league named Leonard Western Conference Player of Week for games played from Monday, January 29, through Sunday, February 4.
During the week, Leonard led the Clippers to a 3-1 record behind averages of 29.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.0 steals while shooting 56.6% from the field, 48.0% from the three-point range and 100% from the free-throw line. It’s the first time in Leonard’s career he has averaged at least 29.0 points and 8.0 rebounds while shooting 100% from the free-throw line over a four-game span. It’s also the first time any player in franchise history has hit those three marks over a four-game span.
The six-time All-Star recorded three 30-plus point games last week and has shot at least 50% from the field in eight of his previous nine games for the Clippers. On Wednesday, January 31, against Washington, Leonard led the Clippers to a win with 31 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and four steals. On Friday, February 2, against Detroit, Leonard finished with 33 points on 12-of-17 shooting with four rebounds and three assists.
In his 12th NBA season, the five-time All-NBA player has appeared in 44 games for the Clippers, averaging 24.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 53.0% from the field, 45.1% from the three-point line and 89.0% from the free-throw line.
The Clippers have won eight of their last nine games and hold a 33-15 record on the season.
Kawhi Leonard will stay with the Clippers for the foreseeable future as the team announced on Wednesday that they had signed him to a contract extension.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, it’s a three-year, $153 million contract extension.
Leonard had a player option after this season on the four-year, $176 million max contract he signed with the Clippers in 2021.
The 32-year-old is a two-time Finals MVP (2014, 2019), five-time All-Star (2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021), five-time All-NBA Team selection (2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021), two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2015, 2016) and a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.
“We’re thrilled to continue our relationship with Kawhi. He is an elite player, a terrific partner and a relentless worker who knows how to win and makes it his first priority,” said Clippers president of basketball Lawrence Frank in a press release. “He elevated our franchise from the moment he arrived. We feel fortunate that Kawhi chose to join the Clippers five years ago, and excited to keep building with him.”
The Moreno Valley, Calif. native has appeared in 660 career games across 12 NBA seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, and LA Clippers, holding averages of 19.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.7 steals.
Leonard is the third-winningest player in the history of the NBA, with a regular-season record of 483-177.
A two-time NBA Champion, Leonard is one of 12 players in NBA history with multiple Finals MVPs, appearing in 137 postseason games while averaging 21.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.8 steals. Regarded as one of the game’s greatest two-way players, Leonard has been selected to seven All-Defensive Teams (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021) and is one of three players in NBA history to win a Finals MVP, Defensive Player of the Year Award and All-Star Game MVP (2020).
This season, Leonard, the team’s leading scorer, averaging 23.8 points per contest. Right now, the Clippers are red hot as they have won six of their last seven and are 15-3 over the last 18 games.
After the acquisition of James Harden, the Clippers are now playing like a team that can compete for an NBA title, and if Leonard can stay healthy, which he has done to this point, Los Angeles will be a tough out in the playoffs.
At one point, in the Mavericks’ 144-126 victory over the Clippers (3-5) on Friday night at American Airlines Center, in In-Season Tournament play, Los Angeles had a 12-point lead in the first quarter. However, Dallas had a 35-4 run at the end of the first quarter into the second, and they rolled from there.
The Mavs(7-2) erupted for 47 points in the second quarter and led 77-51 at halftime; Luka Doncic scored 32 of his 44 points in the second and third quarters, and Dallas had their largest lead of 32 points in the third.
“I thought everybody was alert and made plays,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd said about the big run. “With all that being said, you’ve got to make shots, and I thought everyone made shots. Even Luka [Dončić] was making a lot of shots there in that run.”
Kyrie Irving, who had 27 points, six rebounds, and three assists, said the big run was about shotmaking.
“A bit of luck that they weren’t making shots, but outside of that, I feel like we were making them play in the halfcourt a little bit more than they anticipated,” Irving said. “They’re a great one-on-one, individual team, and I think they know that in that locker room. So, we wanted to make an emphasis tonight that they had to play through each other. They’re a new group, so we just wanted to take advantage of some of their mistakes in transition and make the game easier on ourselves by getting our in transition. ”
Doncic ended the game shooting 17/21 from the field, including 6/9 from deep; he also added six rebounds and six assists. The 81% from the field marks the highest of his career. According to him, the big run was about defense.
“It was great,” he said. “It was our defense, and we had the pace. We said before this game that we need to run, so that’s what we did.”
Dallas could have been better on Wednesday night in losing against the Raptors, so it was nice to see them bounce back against the Clippers. This team will score points this season; they must find a way to stay consistent on the defensive end.
Dallas heads on the road for the next four games, starting in New Orleans as they begin a two-game set with the Pelicans on Sunday night.
Mavericks offensive explosion:
The Dallas’ 144 points is the most in regulation since 1986 (147 at Seattle Sonics).
The Mavericks notched 47 points in the second quarter against the Clippers tonight, the fourth-most points scored in a quarter in team history.
Dallas made 19 threes in win over Clippers.
Notes:
Derrick Jones Jr. recorded 11 (4-10 FG, 1-4 3FG, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, three assists and three steals. His 11 points and 10 rebounds mark his first career double-double, and his three steals in the first quarter marks a new career-high steals in the first quarter — tied for the second-most steals in a single quarter in his career.
Tim Hardaway Jr. recorded 17 points (6-13 FG, 2-8 3FG, 3-3 FT), three rebounds and three assists.
Rookie Dereck Lively II recorded a block tonight, marking his eighth consecutive game with a block since his debut. He is the only Mavericks rookie to accomplish that feat in his first eight games, and his eight consecutive games with a block ties for the fifth-longest streak with a block by a Mavericks rookie.
According to ESPN, Dallas could not play on their newly designed In-Season Tournament court due to a “manufacturing issue.”
Maxi Kleber (right small toe dislocation) missed Friday’s game against the Clippers.
Russell Westbrook stays in Los Angeles! After being traded by the Lakers to the Jazz in a three-team deal that included the Timberwolves, Westbrook was bought out by Utah and ultimately signed with the Clippers on Wednesday.
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, Westbrook signed for the prorated veteran minimum($784,914).
Westbrook, 34, appeared in 52 games for the Los Angeles Lakers this season, averaging 15.9 points, 7.5 assists, and 6.2 rebounds.
The 14-year NBA veteran has appeared in 1,073 games and holds career averages of 22.5 points, 8.4 assists, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.6 steals with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, and Lakers.
“Russell is one of the most explosive and competitive players in the NBA,” said Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank in a press release announcing the move. “He has many strengths that can benefit the team and a shared desire to win a championship. We’re delighted to welcome him and his family to the organization.”
A Los Angeles native, Westbrook was the 2016-17 Most Valuable Player. He is a nine-time All-NBA honoree (two first-team selections), nine-time NBA All-Star, two-time All-Star Game MVP (2015, 2016), two-time NBA scoring champion, 2012 Olympic gold medalist with the United States and a member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. Westbrook is the NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles (198) and ranks 10th on the all-time assists list (9,002).
The Clippers were very busy before the trade deadline, and they added Eric Gordon, Bones Hyland, Mason Plumlee, and Westbrook. If it wasn’t clear, it’s clear now that Los Angeles wants to win an NBA title this season.
Back to Westbrook, he can still put up quality numbers and adds something to the Clippers, but will it translate to wins? History may say no; however, the Clippers are a more talented team than the Lakers, and Westbrook’s skill set may be better utilized with the Clippers.
The Los Angeles Clippers have re-signed free agent forwards Nicolas Batum and Amir Coffey, the team announced Wednesday.
According to Yahoo’s Chris B. Haynes, Batum’s contract is a two-year, $22 million; Coffey’s contract is a three-year, $11 million deal, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
“Nico is a selfless vet and a winning player whose intelligence, versatility, and skill have lifted our team for the past two years,” said Clippers president of basketball operations, Lawrence Frank, via a press release from the team. “We wanted to keep building with him and are honored he wanted the same.”
Batum, 33, appeared in 59 games (54 starts) for the Clippers last season and averaged 8.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 40.0% from beyond the arc.
The 6-foot-8 forward has appeared in 915 career games with averages of 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists over 14 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets, and Clippers. The Frenchman, who has spent 14 seasons in the NBA, is one of eight active NBA players with 10,000 points, 4,500 rebounds, and 1,400 three-pointers made.
Coffey, 25, appeared in 69 games (30 starts) and averaged career-highs in points (9.0), rebounds (2.9), and assists (1.8). On April 10 against Oklahoma City, the three-year veteran became the eighth player in franchise history to register at least 35 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists in a game.
The 6-foot-7 forward has appeared in 131 NBA games and owns career averages of 6.2 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 16.2 minutes over the past three seasons with the Clippers.
Batum and Coffey should be key role players as the Clippers look to compete for an NBA title this season.
The Dallas Mavericks got their star back in Luka Doncic against the Clippers after he missed the past three games due to ankle and knee sprains, and unlike the first three games of this road trip, they were able to close out the Clippers(10-8) in OT 112-104 on Tuesday night.
The Mavericks(10-7) snap their three-game losing streak, and the Dallas finished their road trip 1-3.
Here is the Great, Not so Great, and the Bottom Line of the Mavs’ win over Clippers.
The Great for the Mavericks:
Kristaps Porzingis has found his groove. The 7-footer had his seventh straight game of 20 points or more as he had a team-high 30 points to go along with seven rebounds. During this seven-game stretch, Porzingis is averaging 26.0 points (.528 FG), 9.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.4 blocks a contest.
“He’s playing at a very high level. He didn’t force anything,” Mavs head coach Jason Kidd said about Porzingis. “Sometimes, when a star player comes back, others might change their game, but he didn’t.”
-Doncic almost messed around and had a triple-double. He had 26 points, nine assists, nine rebounds, and two blocks. The Mavericks were happy to have their closer back. Also, according to Mavs PR, Doncic extended his 20-5-5 streak to a 2021-22 NBA-best seven consecutive games.
-Dorian Finney-Smith had 10 of his season-high 17 points in the fourth quarter. Finney-Smith also added three rebounds and three assists.
Third Quarter: The Clippers led by as much as 11 points in this one and by as many as eight points in the third, but Dallas went on a 13-4 run, and during that run, Doncic scored 11 of the 13 points to give the Mavs a one-point lead. Dallas outscored the Clippers 38-28 in the third and took an 80-76 lead into the fourth. Doncic finished the quarter with 15 points
Overtime: Dallas outscored the Clippers 9-1 in the extra session after blowing a 10-point lead late in the game. Porzingis had six points in overtime.
Turnovers: The Mavericks turned 19 Clipper turnovers into 22 points.
The Not so Great for the Mavericks:
The final 3:29 in regulation: Dallas led 102-92 with 3:29 left. Los Angeles went on an 11-1 run to end the game, including Paul George’s corner three at the buzzer to tie things up at 103 and send things into OT. Fortunately, Dallas was able to complete things in OT.
Bottom Line:
Great win for the Mavericks, but they almost blew it. However, a win is a win, especially on the road. Dallas might have had a better road trip if they had Doncic for the first three games. The Mavericks were in all three games against the Suns and Clippers, but they needed that extra push.
What’s Next:
Dallas returns home on Saturday night to face the Wizards.
Best of the Rest:
-Reggie Jackson had game-highs in points(31) and rebounds(10) on Tuesday night; George scored 26 points and dished out six assists.
-Maxi Kleber had a tremendous all-around game with eight points, nine rebounds, six assists, two steals, and a block off the Mavs’ bench.
-Jalen Brunson left the game in first half with a foot injury and did not return. Dallas was also without the services of Frank Ntilikina (Injury/Illness – Right Calf; Strain) and Reggie Bullock(illness).
Listen below as Doncic talks his return from injury:
Without Luka Doncic, it has been a struggle for the Dallas Mavericks(9-7), and the struggles continued on Sunday as Dallas fell to the Clippers(10-7) 97-91 at Staples Center.
Dallas took a 47-46 lead into halftime, but they were outscored by 10 in the third. The Mavs made it close in the end, but it wasn’t enough as Dallas has now lost three straight.
Here’s the Great, the Not so Great, and the Bottom Line of the Mavs’ loss to the Clippers.
The Great for the Mavericks:
-Kristaps Porzingis again scored over 20 points for a career-high-tying sixth consecutive game. Porzingis had 15 of his 25 points in the first half, eight rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. In the last six games, he’s averaging 25.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists.
-Jalen Brunson has played well for the injured Doncic(ankle). He shot 7/13 from the floor and scored 20 points to go along with eight assists. In the last three games, Brunson is averaging 18.6 points, 9.0 assists, and 7.3 rebounds. Brunson has shown that he’s a starting point guard in the NBA.
Not so Great for the Mavericks:
-Tim Hardaway Jr. had an off shooting night on Sunday. He was 2/12 from the field and scored only eight points.
-Dallas was not making shots against the Clippers. The Mavericks shot 41% from the field, including 6/30 from downtown.
–Third Quarter: The Mavericks went completely cold in the third. They shot 30% from the floor, including 0/6 from three-point range. Conversely, Los Angeles shot 56% from the field, including 56% from three(5/9) in the quarter.
Bottom Line:
This is a murderous road trip for Dallas, especially without Doncic. Both the Suns and Clippers are outstanding teams, so these are challenging games to win, but as Jason Kidd had said recently, Dallas has to learn to win without Luka. Doncic was a game-time decision on Sunday, so he’s close and may return on Tuesday night. They did get Maxi Kleber back on Sunday, which is huge.
What’s Next:
Dallas, who is 0-3 on this road trip, finishes its four-game trip and two-game set against the Clippers on Tuesday night.
Best of the Rest:
Paul George led the Clippers with a game-high 29 points; Reggie Jackson added 23 points, and Ivica Zubac chipped in with 16 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
Last season, Mann set career highs in points (7.0), rebounds (3.6), assists (1.6), and FG% (50.9). The second-year G/F also appeared in 19 playoff games in 2021, averaging 7.6 points and 2.7 rebounds while shooting 51.9% from the field.
In Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals, Mann became the first player in franchise history to score at least 20 points in a postseason quarter, finishing with 39 and sparking the Clippers to their first conference finals appearance.
“Terance personifies many of the qualities we value,” said Lawrence Frank, Clippers president of basketball operations. “He is a giving teammate and an unrelenting worker who improves himself and those around him every day. In only two seasons, we’ve watched him grow from a second-round pick to a key contributor on a playoff team. We want him to be a big part of our future, and we’re glad he wants the same. We’re thrilled for Terance and excited for what’s to come.”
Originally selected by the Clippers with the 48th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the 24-year-old Mann owns career averages of 5.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 108 appearances.
The Los Angeles Clippers wanted to upgrade the guard spot, and they are hoping they’ve done just that. Los Angeles acquired Eric Bledsoe from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Patrick Beverley, Rajon Rondo, and Daniel Oturu, the team announced on Monday.
“We are excited to add Eric, a strong, versatile guard and an established playmaker who can attack the paint and defend multiple positions,” said Clippers president of basketball operations, Lawrence Frank. “Eric started his career with the Clippers, and we’re delighted to bring him back.”
Bledsoe, who the Pelicans traded to the Grizzlies in early August, returns to the Clippers after starting his career with the team. Last season, the 31-year-old averaged 12.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists for New Orleans.
Beverley, 33, appeared in 177 games over the last four seasons with the Clippers; last season, he averaged 7.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per contest. Beverley is a big-time defender and has been named to three All-Defensive teams in his career.
Rondo, 35, averaged 7.6 points, 5.8 assists, and 3.1 rebounds in 18 games with Los Angeles. The 6-foot-1 guard, who is a two-time NBA champion and four-time All-Star, came to the Clippers last December in the deal that sent Lou Williams to Atlanta.
Oturu, 21, appeared in 30 games for the Clippers last season, averaging 1.8 points and 1.6 rebounds. The 6-foot-8 center played two seasons at the University of Minnesota.
For the Clippers, you get an athletic guard in Bledsoe, who is a decent scorer and solid defender. Regarding the Grizzlies, they are a young team, and adding veterans like Rondo and Beverley could be good, but they probably won’t keep both, so don’t be surprised if Rondo is re-routed elsewhere.
