On this article, Clippers Escape New Orleans 126–124: Kawhi’s Midrange, Beal’s Return & The First Cup Begins, MyntJ recaps the Clippers win towards the Pelicans and the highway forward. Felicia Enriquez, aka Mynt J, is the host of the podcast BlackLove and Basketball – Compton Version. She is a Clippers fan, an NBA credentialed creator representing thePeachBasket.
INGLEWOOD, CA — On October 31, 2025, the LA Clippers walked out of the Intuit Dome with a two-point win and their first official NBA In-Season Event victory, 126–124 over the Pelicans. However this one wasn’t only a fortunate bounce or a schedule increase. It was a layered efficiency:
- Kawhi Leonard confirmed the midrange nonetheless hits like a knockout punch.
- James Harden managed the offense like a seasoned conductor.
- Bradley Beal’s return gave the Clippers construction.
- And John Collins quietly anchored the rotation with bodily, environment friendly play.
Clippers Escape New Orleans – Kawhi’s Midrange Magic: Predictable… and Nonetheless Unstoppable
If you consider one of the best midrange shooters, Kawhi Leonard involves thoughts. His potential to get to his spot and shoot with calmness and effectivity—it’s so good to see.
He doesn’t heat up with wild threes. He doesn’t dance into emblem pictures. He reps free throws and midrange jumpers till the shape is robotic. That’s why when the sport tightens, he doesn’t want warmth—just a bit area.
Midrange pictures are onerous to protect as a result of they don’t stay in a single zip code. They will occur from anyplace contained in the arc. And Kawhi has mastered each inch of that vary.
The league has made three-pointers probably the most engaging shot, and Leonard nonetheless hit 5-of-8 from deep. However when the sport was on the road, he wasn’t going to danger it.
With below 5 seconds left, Kawhi mentioned he had greater than sufficient time to get to his spot—and he did. No wasted motion. No panic. Simply pump pretend, delicate contact, signature elbow jumper.
He even cracked a uncommon smile in postgame, calling it a “moist ball” in Mandarin: 湿球 (Shī qiú).
The midrange isn’t lifeless—it’s simply being guarded by gamers who don’t know the place it’s coming from. Kawhi completed with 34 factors on 11-of-16 taking pictures, 5-of-8 from deep, together with 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 6 steals.
He additionally mentioned he’s good to go for the upcoming back-to-back. The legs really feel proper. The shot appears to be like cleaner than ever.
John Collins + Kawhi = Matchup Nightmare
Let’s not overthink this: Kawhi Leonard + John Collins = SIZE + STABILITY.
The Clippers solely performed John Collins and Kawhi Leonard collectively 4 instances all sport—twice within the 1st quarter and twice within the third. However these moments? They mattered.
Collins’ numbers: 18 minutes, 14 factors, 3 rebounds. Derrick Jones Jr.: 28 minutes, 16 factors, 3 rebounds.
Jones brings verticality. Collins brings muscle—boxing out, second-chance factors, and bodily assist protection.
This isn’t about who’s flashier. It’s about giving Kawhi a dependable frontcourt companion to construct rhythm with. And with Nikola Jokic and Denver looming, it makes zero sense to attend on testing that pairing.
Lue hinted Collins might get his first begin in that sport. However why wait?
Harden’s Imaginative and prescient and Circulate
Harden managed the offense with 14 assists and introduced his teammates into the sport with pleasant, intentional power. He’s studying the roster and is aware of how vital straightforward buckets are to gamers not getting quantity pictures.
“We have now a protracted option to go,” Harden mentioned. “We had some stints collectively, however form of discovering out I’m gonna be with the second unit a bit bit extra. Clearly, [John Collins] can submit up, he’s actually good within the nook for 3, so simply discovering him methods to get him straightforward buckets… For those who get straightforward buckets you’re simply assured.”
That was Harden all evening—operating the present, spreading the ball, and taking part in like a vet who is aware of it is a marathon.
Ty Lue’s Rotation Puzzle: 10 Lineups Later…
Ty Lue admitted he needed to burn two timeouts within the 1st quarter as a result of guys weren’t clear on roles. That’s one downside.
Right here’s the larger one: He used 10 completely different lineups all through the sport—and just one really labored.
The Harden / Beal / Kawhi / DJJ / Zubac unit opened the sport, dominated the second quarter, and closed out the third.
That 2nd quarter group dropped 41 factors and performed with rhythm. Harden was in management. Beal supplied construction. Kawhi had choices. Zubac anchored the paint.
Then the 4th quarter hit.
Beal didn’t play on account of his minutes restriction. The Pelicans gained momentum and outscored the Clippers 40–32, tying the sport at 124.
Ty Lue turned to Kris Dunn and Nicolas Batum within the closing stretch, whereas the Pelicans shot 60% from the sector and 60% from three within the 4th quarter.
“Just a few breakdowns defensively,” Lue mentioned postgame. “Stack damage us all evening. Not with the ability to get again out to the shooter that was slipping out… after which offensively, simply caring for the basketball. Not turning the ball over to allow them to get out in transition.”
The Clippers solely dedicated 12 turnovers, however a number of have been sloppy—and the Pelicans capitalized.
Bradley Beal’s Return: Quiet, However Essential
Beal performed 21 minutes below a restriction however gave the Clippers steadiness. He completed with 9 factors (3-of-8 FG, 1-of-2 3PT) and a pair of assists.
His shot wasn’t the story—his poise was. The offense had higher circulate with him within the sport.
“Yeah. I’m a perfectionist, man,” Beal mentioned postgame. “I hate lacking pictures. I hate not taking part in nicely. There’s solely a lot I can do. I’ve to point out myself a bit grace too… My rhythm will come.”
It already seemed prefer it was beginning.
Subsequent Up: Miami, Norman Powell, and a Dimension Check
Miami involves city Monday on a back-to-back after dealing with the Lakers Sunday. Former Clipper Norman Powell performed for components of 4 seasons (2022–25), averaging 17.4 factors, 2.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 28.1 minutes in 201 video games (73 begins).
Now with Miami, he’s averaging 24 factors over his final three video games—and will likely be a lot motivated to point out out in L.A. if he’s cleared to play (DNP in final two video games).
Bam Adebayo may even be a problem. He’s listed at 6’9″ and 260 kilos. Derrick Jones Jr. offers up measurement (6’6″, 210 lbs), however Collins (6’9″, 226 lbs) could possibly be the reply.
Then Comes OKC… and Denver
The Clippers play Oklahoma Metropolis on a again to again on Tuesday November 4th and so they are at the moment 6-0 and defending 2025 NBA Champions, their tempo and youth will take a look at the Clippers’ protection and self-discipline.
Then comes Denver, with Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, and firm—the defending 2023 NBA champions on November twelfth and that matchup might inform us all the things about how John Collins holds up towards elite frontcourts.
Ultimate Phrase
The Clippers didn’t dominate—however they figured some issues out:
- Kawhi’s midrange remains to be elite.
- Beal matches like a glove when wholesome.
- Harden is constructing chemistry and management.
- Collins deserves extra time with the starters.
And Ty Lue? He must decide to what works.
This crew is just too deep, too skilled, and too near peak type to maintain experimenting.
It’s time to begin controlling video games—not simply escaping them.
