INGLEWOOD — Anyone who remembers the 2023-24 season isn’t panicking over the Clippers’ mediocre start. Their 3-4 record doesn’t worry them; their uneven play is just part of the adjustment period.
Two seasons ago, the Clippers acquired then-10-time All-Star James Harden in a blockbuster trade, squeezing him into a lineup that had perennial All-Stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, forming what many believed would be the next super team.
Yet, the pieces didn’t fit at first. After starting out 3-1, with Harden in the mix, the Clippers lost their next six games and ended the month of November with an 8-10 record.
A month later, with Harden comfortable with his new teammates, the Clippers were three games above .500 and on their way to a 51-31 regular-season record.
This season, Coach Tyronn Lue is attempting to mold a winner with six proven veterans who are 30-plus years old – and so far, it’s been a challenge. He has preached patience as he figures out who fits best with whom and how the rotation will work with six former starters coming off the bench.
Lue said he needs 10-15 games before it all makes sense.
“We really haven’t had the chance to get to our full potential as far as lineups and things like that,” Lue said. “So, we just gotta be patient, let our guys get healthy and then we’ll see.”
The Clippers were missing two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard (ankle) and guard Bradley Beal (sore knee) in a lopsided 126-107 loss to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night. Beal, who remains on a minutes restriction, is expected back when the Clippers travel to the Phoenix Suns (3-5) on Thursday in the first game of a home-and-away set.
Harden said the Clippers need to concentrate on fixing their problems, namely turnovers, and not worry about their record now.
“We got our own things that we got to correct and things that we got to get better at,” he said.
When pressed, Harden expanded on what needs to happen before losses like the 19-point defeat by the Thunder become an issue.
“I mean rotations and figuring out who fits well with who. We were a fairly new team, so we got our (own issues),” Harden said. “It’s not even about the Thunder. It’s about us and like I said, the first half we played well, as well as the third quarter. Towards the end of (the game), I wouldn’t say we let go of the rope, but we missed some shots. They made some shots.”
The most important thing the Clippers need to do is not overreact every time they lose, Harden said.
“It’s as simple as that,” Harden said, “It is just that there’s 82 of these.”
Forward Derrick Jones Jr. said the Clippers, like every team, aren’t perfect and fixing the turnovers, the rocky fit and chemistry is simple.
“We got to work on everything,” Jones said. “Passing, dribbling, shooting, finishing at the rim. We got to work on everything just to get better at things so we can win the games.”
CLIPPERS AT SUNS
When: Thursday, 6 p.m. PT
Where: Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix
TV/radio: FDSN SoCal/570 AM