The Los Angeles Clippers stunned the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday, as they eked out a dominant 109-97 win in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round series. And they did that without the services of Kawhi Leonard, who is still dealing with an issue in his surgically repaired right knee.
Despite the Clippers’ big win, Los Angeles star forward Paul George is not going to rest on their laurels. He knows that the job is far from done and the Mavericks have the weapons to strike back and gain control of the series.
“Kyrie is a Hall of Fame scorer. Luka will be a Hall of Famer. They’re two monsters over there, George said after the game, per Jamie Hancock of Dallas Morning News. We can’t be complacent with how we played today, knowing what they have in that locker room.”
Los Angeles Clippers Survive Kawhi Leonard’s Absence to Take Game 1 vs. Mavericks
Without Leonard, the Clippers were still able to put up a fantastic defensive performance, as they held the Mavericks to only 38.8 percent from the field and 30.3 percent shooting from behind the arc. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving combined for 64 points, but the rest of the Dallas players did not factor much into the contest.
George, meanwhile, had 22 points, while James Harde proved he’s still a major threat on offense with 28 points and eight assists for the Clippers, who have now won all of their last three meetings with the Mavericks, dating back to the regular season.
The Clippers will aim to go up in the series 2-0 this Tuesday at home.
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