Conflict

Following the 3-year, $35 million deal given to Little Rivers on July 2, they reached a 3-year, $18 million agreement with Wesley Johnson on July 3, even though Wesley Johnson averaged just 6.9 points and 3 rebounds per game last season. The priority order for these extensions placed both ahead of sixth man Crawford.

At the same time, since Paul and the Clippers had previously agreed to a 5-year, $107 million extension in 2013, set to expire in 2018, this summer the Clippers could have negotiated an early extension with Paul. However, after Rivers failed to persuade Paul to take a pay cut to preserve the team's salary cap space, no further contract talks took place. (When the Rockets made the Western Conference Finals in 2018, Paul still insisted on 4 years, $160 million, let alone during his Clippers days—and they had already spent big to extend Rivers' son first.)

Looking back after these moves, it's hard not to worry about the Clippers' future.

Of course, despite the messy operations, the Clippers' paper strength remained formidable.

Last season, CP3 averaged 19.5 points and 10.0 assists, Griffin averaged 21.4 points and 8.4 rebounds, and Little Jordan averaged 12.7 points and 13.8 rebounds—a trio that could hardly be called weak by any measure.

And indeed, the Clippers, facing the Trail Blazers, Jazz, and Suns in succession, also reeled off three straight wins. Playing at home in Staples Center, they waited fresh and rested for the Thunder's arrival.

If they beat the Thunder, they would briefly secure the top spot in the Western Conference.

Thus, most people held a pessimistic view on whether the Thunder could maintain their winning streak.

Contrary to everyone's expectations, the clash between the Thunder and the Clippers turned into a defensive battle from the start.

Both sides had poor shooting touch, as if the rims had been fitted with lids, rejecting every incoming ball.

Little Jordan won the tip-off, passed it to Paul in the backcourt, who dribbled to the top of the arc, called for Griffin to set a pick-and-roll, while Little Jordan set an off-ball screen for Redick. Paul's pass was already in the air before Redick had even reached halfway—the ball arrived before the man. Redick had to take two extra steps to catch it, allowing Oladipo to successfully navigate the screen and recover quickly.

With no good shooting opportunity, he had to pass it back to Paul to reset.

Griffin moved up for another pick-and-roll, this time pulling Sabonis to the perimeter. Paul, with a smaller defender on a bigger man, executed two quick and sharp crossovers, easily shaking Sabonis' center of gravity to create space for a shot. Unfortunately, his touch was off, and the mid-range attempt missed.

Adams grabbed the rebound and passed it to Westbrook, who pushed the fast break. Oladipo sprinted downcourt to receive the long pass and went for a layup, but it bounced off the rim under Batumot's contest.

Roberson followed up for a putback attempt, missing again but drawing a foul on Griffin.

One of two free throws made. The Clippers advanced steadily again, settling into the half-court. Paul chose to pass to Batumot, who then handed it off to Griffin.

Griffin held the ball a step in front of the free-throw line, waiting for teammates to move, then passed it back to Paul, who had run into an open spot. Paul caught and shot a three—another miss.

Westbrook grabbed the defensive rebound, stepped on the gas, pushed forward quickly, shifted gears at mid-court, and drove all the way into the paint. Little Jordan, rotating back on defense, couldn't keep up, and Westbrook finished the layup.

3 to 0.

On the other end, Paul opted for the same play, passing to Redick, who had come off a screen to the 45-degree angle. This time, the three-pointer went in.

3 to 3.

Clearly, the two teams had very different opening strategies. The Clippers preferred to settle into the half-court, leveraging Paul and Griffin's playmaking advantages, while the Thunder aimed to break through the Clippers' defense by pushing the pace in transition. What they shared was that their tactics weren't failing to execute—they just kept faltering at the final step, leading to a stagnant score.

The entire first quarter unfolded in this stifling atmosphere, leaving the Staples Center fans somewhat disinterested.

The game itself wasn't as entertaining as the cheerleaders during timeouts.

20 to 23.

The second quarter began with Westbrook and Chen Xi on the floor, joined by Grant, who had just arrived with the Thunder, replacing Roberson.

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On the Clippers' side, Paul led the second unit into the transition period.

Thunder ball. Westbrook dribbled to the top of the arc, passed to Chen Xi, then received a handoff and accelerated straight to the rim. Meanwhile, Chen Xi popped out to the three-point line, ready to catch. Westbrook's pass arrived instantly.

Quick release, three-pointer in.

Shaking his slightly sore right hand, Chen Xi backpedaled on defense.

Westbrook's passing style—heavy and forceful—could easily lead to a turnover if the receiver wasn't prepared.

Tsk, one of Turtle Turtle's unavoidable flaws.

Clippers on offense. Paul ran another pick-and-roll, then took advantage of the Thunder center's slow movement to hit a mid-range jumper. Two points.

Westbrook pushed the counterattack again, but this time the Clippers retreated quickly. He chose to pass to Little Sabonis, then posted up low, calling for the ball to try backing down Paul. His turnaround mid-range shot missed, even with Paul slightly out of position.

Similarly, Paul's attempt to exploit a smaller defender on the perimeter also fizzled out.

Both All-Star point guards still couldn't find their rhythm.

As if infected, even Chen Xi's shot produced a crisp clang. Fortunately, the newly arrived Grant unexpectedly maintained his touch, scoring consistently around the rim to help the Thunder take the lead in the second quarter.

48 to 40.

Entering the third quarter.

"Yellow-skinned rookie, I really can't figure out how you got a contract. Poor kid, your talent is visibly negative. You'd better leave the NBA now. Staying here will only embarrass you further."

Chen Xi, who checked in six minutes into the third quarter, was immediately greeted by Redick's incessant trash talk. Clearly, Redick, who had gone 1-for-8 so far, was struggling mentally and needed to vent.

No way, you white pig, if I let you vent like this, my surname isn't Chen! (This bastard used racially charged language publicly.)

"If I were you, I wouldn't be barking here. I'd call home and ask your family if they've taken a dump today."

"What the fuck are you talking about?!"

Caught off guard, Redick cursed.

"Wait, are you calling me a dog?"

"I'm just asking if you've eaten, sweetie."

With that, Chen Xi quickly ran to one side, seeking the shelter of Adams' massive frame.

Sure enough, an enraged Redick charged straight at him, trying to shove Adams aside and stage an impromptu WWE live show for the Staples Center fans.

But obviously, his slender frame was no match for Aquaman's bulk.

Not only did he fail to push him, but the referee, seeing the action, called an off-ball foul on him. Frustrated, Redick immediately went to argue with the official.