The Clippers fell from second to seventh in the West in three days after the loss at the Lakers, and they now face a 2-0 Thunder team that went 64-18 last season. The gap in last season's ratings is the number that frames this game.
The drop to seventh came fast.
The Clippers lost 117-125 at the Lakers on Friday and slid from second to seventh by Sunday. Minnesota, 2-0, holds sixth, one game ahead. Walker Kessler scored 22 with six blocks for the Lakers, and Los Angeles never recovered from a 12-0 Lakers run in the third quarter.
Oklahoma City starts from a much higher floor.
The Thunder posted a 117.6 offensive and 106.5 defensive rating last season, an 11.1 net. The Clippers finished at 1.1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 31.1 points. Oklahoma City is not whole, with Otega Oweh, Nikola Topic and Thomas Sorber listed out, but the starting core is intact.
Brook Lopez is the early bright spot.
Lopez scored 22 on 8-of-9 shooting in 20 minutes at the Lakers, and his minutes are up eight a night over three games. Clipperholics wrote that he is showing early signs of vindication. Darius Garland scored 26 but gave the ball away nine times and finished minus-16.
The calendar offers little relief while four players are out.
Max Strus, Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Brandon Ingram and Bradley Beal carry an estimated return of November 8. Jordan Miller's is March 2. The payroll of $188.9M sits under the $200.4M tax line, so the roster is what it is. Next come the Lakers on October 28 and Minnesota on October 30. Can Lopez and Garland carry the scoring that long?
When do the Clippers play next after the Thunder?
They host the Lakers on October 28, then visit the Timberwolves on October 30 in the Emirates NBA Cup.
When are Ingram and Beal expected back?
Both carry an estimated return date of November 8. Ingram has no firmer timeline after his heel issue.
