Clippers’ smarter-not-faster approach suddenly paying dividends

The Clippers didn’t fix their season by playing faster. They fixed it by playing smarter.

After a disastrous 6–21 start that nearly buried them, the Clippers have ripped off six straight wins while slowing the game down even more, writes Law Murray of The Athletic.

During that stretch, they rank last in pace. They also rank first in offensive rating and defensive rating. They are getting to the free-throw line more than anyone and giving up fewer three-point attempts than any team in the league.

Coach Tyronn Lue says the shift came from commitment, not creativity.

“Humility. Attention to detail. Executing. Sharing the basketball,” Lue said. “The ball’s going to find Kawhi and James eventually. But we’ve allowed other guys to make plays.”

Much of the surge starts with Kawhi Leonard, who has topped 40 points three times during the streak after never doing it more than twice in a season. The return of Derrick Jones Jr. has stabilized the point-of-attack defense alongside Kris Dunn, while John Collins has been dominant on the glass and Nicolas Batum continues to win his minutes quietly.

“I think everybody’s urgency just went up,” Dunn said. “We know what time it is.”

The Clippers didn’t reinvent themselves. They simplified. Slowed it down. Took care of details. And suddenly, a lost season looks very much alive.