Clippers Fall Short as Thunder Secure Narrow 103-101 Victory in Thrilling Matchup
OKC Thunder #2 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (G) driving to the basket for an uncontested lay up against the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, CA on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Photo by Antoine Belote
Inglewood, CA – March 23, 2025 – In a game filled with high-energy plays and intense competition, the Oklahoma City Thunder narrowly edged out the Los Angeles Clippers 103-101 in a dramatic finish at the Intuit Dome. The win extends the Thunder’s impressive six-game winning streak while snapping the Clippers’ eight-game home winning run.
Game Recap: A Battle to the Final Buzzer
The Clippers started strong, capitalizing on their home-court advantage to take a commanding 34-24 lead after the first quarter. However, the Thunder responded aggressively in the second, outscoring Los Angeles 33-17 to head into halftime with a 57-51 lead. From that point on, the game became a back-and-forth affair, with both teams exchanging leads multiple times.
With less than two minutes remaining, Oklahoma City’s Alex Caruso delivered a clutch three-pointer to give the Thunder a 100-99 lead. Despite multiple attempts by the Clippers to reclaim the advantage, solid defensive stops and key free throws secured the win for OKC.
Standout Performances
Oklahoma City Thunder:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 26 points and eight assists, overcoming an off-shooting night (7-for-29) with perfect free-throw efficiency (11-for-11).
Aaron Wiggins stepped up in a crucial role, adding 19 points to complement SGA’s efforts.
Alex Caruso made a significant impact in just his second start with the team, recording 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists while also locking down defensively in the game’s final moments.
Los Angeles Clippers:
Kawhi Leonard put up a strong effort with 25 points and 10 rebounds, keeping the Clippers within striking distance throughout the night.
James Harden achieved a significant career milestone. With his 27,410th career point, Harden surpassed NBA legend Moses Malone to claim the 11th spot on the league’s all-time scoring list.
Ivica Zubac added a solid double-double performance with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Key Takeaways
The Thunder’s ability to maintain composure in high-pressure situations once again proved vital, as their late-game execution made the difference. Meanwhile, the Clippers will look to bounce back in their upcoming game against the Phoenix Suns after a tough loss on their home floor.
For Oklahoma City, this victory adds another boost to their growing confidence as they head into their next matchup against the Sacramento Kings, continuing their West Coast road trip.
Photo by: Antoine Belote