The Los Angeles Clippers have underperformed to start the season, but their mediocrity has revealed a hidden gem. Playing without Kawhi Leonard and James Harden on Thursday, the team may have suffered their worst loss of the season so far to the Phoenix Suns. But sophomore guard Cam Christie can help the Clippers get back on the right track.
How a Sophomore Guard Can Help Save The Clippers
Cam Christie came out of the loss to the Suns looking like a potential piece for Ty Lue in the rotation. He played 25 minutes and finished with 17 points, three assists, two rebounds and a steal. Sure, most of his minutes and impact came in the final frame when the Clippers threw the white flag, but everyone who watched the game can’t deny the 20-year-old’s potential.
The 2024 second-round pick was confident and aggressive. Not too aggressive that he chalked up meaningless shots and turned the ball over. In fact, he committed no turnovers —a field in which Los Angeles has been struggling this season —and was efficient, shooting 71.4% (5 for 7). The assertiveness was also on full display defensively, pushing the pace and garnering stops even before the fourth quarter.
Cam Christie 17 PTS, 3 AST, 1 STL, 5/7 FG, 2/3 3FG in LA Clippers vs Phoenix Suns on Thursday pic.twitter.com/pkEVptioGr
— Recent NBA (@recentnba) November 7, 2025
Christie only played 13 games for the Clippers last season, averaging 4.5 minutes and 1.4 points. This year, he’s recording 6.2 points in 10.0 minutes. Lue has clearly emphasized his development this season, trusting him enough to see plenty of action Thursday, albeit most of it came in garbage time.
It was the game you’d want to see in your young guard. But for the Clippers, who have yet to see any meaningful impact from their new arrivals and have nonexistent draft capital for the next four years, it’s a performance that could give you hope for the season and beyond.
A Hidden Gem
It’s still early, but the team’s recent performances don’t indicate that they can compete for the chip this year. An upset loss to the Utah Jazz in the season opener should’ve been a sign that this is not the same energetic squad that won 50 games in 2024-25.
Although Harden and Leonard have dished out their usual production, the rest of the team has not stepped up so far. Ivica Zubac has been a step slower compared to recent seasons. Bradley Beal has failed to generate Norman Powell’s much-needed impact as the team’s third option. Beal’s return from injury hasn’t helped the Clippers’ offensive woes either.
Fellow new arrival Chris Paul has also failed to stamp himself as a reliable facilitator for the team’s secondary lineups. This is how Christie’s youthful exuberance could play a factor. At 40, Paul has significantly decreased his effectiveness as a playmaker. He could instead serve as a mentor for Christie, who can be Harden’s replacement off the bench. Mix that with a lineup alongside John Collins, who Lue has seemingly stamped as the Clippers’ sixth man, and Brook Lopez, and you have a lineup capable of being a spacing nightmare for defenses while Leonard, Harden, and Zubac get rest.
The Last Word
The game against the Suns is just a minuscule sample size to judge a player’s effectiveness for the rest of the season. However, with recent subpar performances and Leonard suffering from an ankle sprain. It won’t hurt Lue to give Christie some meaningful minutes to see how he can be truly integrated into his system.
Experience is in abundance for the Clippers this season. So why not let one of their few young guns soak it all up with minutes on the floor? If Christie can match his brother’s capabilities, Los Angeles might have someone to develop and turn the season around.
Featured image: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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