James Harden has 28 points, Paul George adds 22 and Ivica Zubac has a 20-point double-double as the Clippers build a huge first-half lead on their way to a 109-97 win. Luka Doncic (33) and Kyrie Irving (31) lead Dallas.
Maybe the Clippers did have something to prove. Maybe they wanted to show that, unlike the past, injuries weren’t going to derail their goal.
Or maybe they simply were determined to gain the upper hand in their first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday afternoon.
Whatever the reason, the Clippers had enough star power to defeat the Mavericks, 109-97, in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series even without Kawhi Leonard, who was ruled out because of inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee.
His status for Tuesday night’s Game 2 is undetermined. The two-time NBA Finals MVP hasn’t played since March 31.
The Clippers came out fast, starting the game with an urgency to show that they could win without their oft-injured star. And they did just that by making shots, riding a balanced attack, and containing the Mavericks’ star tandem of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving down the stretch.
Doncic still came up with a game-high 33 points, 13 rebounds and six assists, while Irving finished with 31 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
James Harden, who the Clippers signed for moments like these, scored a team-high 28 points on 8-of-17 shooting, including six 3-pointers, to go with eight assists.
