The LA Clippers delivered a complete team performance on Sunday night at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, outpacing the New Orleans Pelicans 137-117 in front of 17,003 fans. The Clippers established control in the opening quarter and maintained enough of a cushion to come away with a comfortable 20-point victory, improving their overall record to 28-31 on the season.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter: Clippers Set the Tone Early
Los Angeles wasted no time taking control. The Clippers outscored New Orleans 43-32 in the first quarter — a dominant opening frame that set the tone for the entire contest. The 11-point advantage at the end of the first was the foundation upon which the Clippers built their lead throughout the night.
Second Quarter: Pelicans Rally, But Can’t Erase the Deficit
New Orleans showed resilience in the second quarter, outscoring the Clippers 38-33 to trim the margin slightly. The Pelicans’ offense generated enough momentum to keep the game within reach heading into halftime, with LA holding a 76-70 lead at the break. It was the one stretch of the game where the Pelicans held the upper hand.
Third Quarter: Clippers Reassert Control
Any hopes of a Pelicans comeback were put to rest in the third quarter. Los Angeles outscored New Orleans 31-24 over the third frame, pushing the lead back out to double digits and signaling that the home team was firmly in the driver’s seat. The Clippers’ defense tightened, and their offense continued to find efficient looks from the field.
Fourth Quarter: Business as Usual
The Clippers closed out the game professionally in the fourth, outscoring New Orleans 30-23 to seal the 20-point final margin. With the outcome no longer in doubt, Los Angeles coasted to the final buzzer and secured a needed win in their push toward playoff positioning.
Key Performers
Kawhi Leonard — LA Clippers
Kawhi Leonard led all Clippers scorers with 23 points on the night. The veteran forward was efficient and composed, delivering another steady performance as he continues to anchor Los Angeles’ offensive identity.
Jordan Miller — LA Clippers
Guard Jordan Miller was arguably the most impactful player on the floor for the Clippers. Miller recorded 19 points, a game-high 8 assists, and 3 steals, earning the game’s top individual rating. His playmaking and defensive activity gave Los Angeles an edge in both directions and made him the engine that kept the offense flowing.
Brook Lopez — LA Clippers
Center Brook Lopez led the Clippers on the glass with 7 rebounds, providing a physical presence in the paint that helped Los Angeles control the interior throughout the game.
Jeremiah Fears — New Orleans Pelicans
Despite the loss, rookie guard Jeremiah Fears put together the standout individual performance of the night for New Orleans, leading all scorers in the game with 28 points. Fears continues to be one of the few bright spots for a Pelicans team working through a difficult season.
Dejounte Murray — New Orleans Pelicans
Dejounte Murray led the Pelicans in assists with 5, while Yves Missi paced New Orleans on the boards with 8 rebounds. The two veterans provided secondary contributions, but it was not enough to overcome the Clippers’ overall team efficiency.
Game Analysis
The box score tells a clear story of efficiency. The Clippers shot 53.9% from the field compared to the Pelicans’ 44.9%, a significant gap that translated directly into the final margin. Los Angeles also outperformed New Orleans from three-point range, connecting on 17-of-36 attempts (47.2%) versus the Pelicans’ 12-of-33 (36.4%). The Clippers also generated 29 assists on 48 made field goals, reflecting crisp ball movement and a willingness to find the open player.
New Orleans did edge Los Angeles on the glass, collecting 41 rebounds to the Clippers’ 38, but the Pelicans were unable to convert that advantage into enough second-chance opportunities to affect the outcome. Both teams were relatively even at the free throw line — New Orleans went 25-of-30 (83.3%) while the Clippers made 24-of-29 (82.8%).
The first quarter proved decisive. A 43-point opening frame by the Clippers is a high-water mark by any measure, and New Orleans never fully recovered from the early hole. The Pelicans’ second-quarter surge kept the game within reach at halftime, but the Clippers responded with back-to-back strong quarters to put the game away.
Standings and Series Implications
With the win, the LA Clippers move to 28-31 overall, including a 15-13 record at Intuit Dome. They remain in the hunt for a play-in tournament spot in the Western Conference, and victories like this one against a lottery-bound opponent are exactly the kind of results they need to sustain that push. The New Orleans Pelicans, meanwhile, fall to 19-43 on the season — one of the worst records in the league — and continue to look toward the future as they build around promising young contributors like Jeremiah Fears.
