Norman Powell and Clippers beat slumping Warriors for third time this season

Norman Powell scored 24 points and the Clippers held on to beat the slumping Golden State Warriors for the third time this season, 102-92 on Friday night.

James Harden added 18 points and seven assists and Ivica Zubac had 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Jonathan Kuminga scored a career-high 34 points off the bench to lead the Warriors, who were without Stephen Curry (knee) and Draymond Green (back).

Clippers

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Dec. 26, 2024

The Clippers are still waiting for Kawhi Leonard to make his season debut. Kevin Porter Jr. sat out because of illness.

Things got chippy in the fourth when the Warriors cut a 19-point deficit to three points.

Harden fouled Brandin Podziemski, who fell hard to the court. Soon after, Podziemski fouled Amir Coffey when they collided near the Warriors bench. Tempers flared on both sides and Harden and Lindy Waters III were assessed technical fouls. Fans then booed Podziemski whenever he touched the ball.

Takeaways

Clippers guard Norman Powell, left, tries to steal the ball away from Warriors forward Kyle Anderson in the first half Friday.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Warriors: They fell to 3-12 in their last 15 games after their third loss in a row. They’re 4-2 without Curry in the lineup and 1-1 without Curry and Green.

Clippers: They’ve also been struggling, going 4-4 in their last eight games.

Key moment: After a close first half in which neither team led by more than six points, the Clippers dominated the third. Their first three baskets were dunks, including two by Derrick Jones Jr., who later had a one-handed jam. They also went on a three-point binge, rattling off four in a row by different players for a 79-60 lead.

Key stat: The Warriors shot 37% from the floor, but they outrebounded the Clippers, 47-39, including 19 on the offensive glass.

Up next: The Warriors host Phoenix on Saturday in the second game of a back-to-back and the opener of a six-game homestand. The Clippers visit New Orleans on Monday night to begin a three-game trip.

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