The Los Angeles Clippers are flying high after Friday night’s NBA Cup thriller, where Kawhi Leonard buried a game-winner that broke Pelicans fans’ hearts and gave his team a huge boost. The victory lifted the Clippers to 3-2 for the season, keeping them second in the Pacific Division and giving the locker room a much-needed jolt of confidence.
Leonard was in complete control with 34 points, while James Harden delivered 24 points and a game-high 14 assists in one of his best outings so far. Ivica Zubac continued his steady form with another double-double, and John Collins chipped in 14 points off the bench to keep the offense rolling.
Through five games, the Clippers have been one of the most efficient teams in the league, averaging 111.2 points per game while shooting an impressive 49.2 percent from the floor. They’re pulling down over 42 rebounds and dishing out nearly 25 assists per contest. On the defensive side, they’ve been active and alert, ranking fifth in steals and ninth in blocks per game. That defensive effort will need to be at its peak when they face an Oklahoma City Thunder squad that looks almost unstoppable.
The Thunder have started the 2025-26 season on fire with a 7-0 record, matching their incredible start from last year. They’ve now joined rare company as only the third team in NBA history to open back-to-back seasons with seven straight wins. On Sunday night, they dismantled the Pelicans 137 to 106, showing why they’re currently the team to beat.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander once again led from the front with his sixth 30-point performance of the season, adding seven assists for good measure. Every other Thunder starter hit double figures, proving how balanced and dangerous this roster is.
The reigning NBA champions have been a scoring machine, averaging 122.1 points per game while shooting 46.8 percent from the field. They’re among the league’s top five in rebounds with 48 per game and remain just as effective defensively, averaging 10.7 steals and 5.3 blocks per outing.
Oklahoma City completely owned this matchup last season, winning all four meetings against the Clippers by an average of nearly ten points. This time, the Clippers will hope to turn things around on their home floor. The Thunder, even without Jalen Williams recovering from wrist surgery and Chet Holmgren out with a back issue, haven’t skipped a beat.
Tip-off is set for November 5 at 9:30 a.m. IST, and fans can expect fireworks. The Clippers will rely on Leonard and Harden to carry the load, but slowing down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his high-flying Thunder teammates is easier said than done.
