Finding their rhythm wasn’t easy, yet the Los Angeles Clippers continued to show up. Tough stretches piled up, chipping away at belief. With only six wins by midseason, denial faded fast. Tyronn Lue recognized the shift needed within the team’s culture.
The HC held the gear tight and told his players to stop looking backwards and treat the remainder of the season as a fresh start. His stance was blunt. Forget the early damage and focus on going 35-20 the rest of the way. Whether that goal was reached or not, the point was clear. Hustle every night and take pride in the work again.
Kawhi Leonard Backs Ty Lue With Action and Words
The Clippers’ response showed up Tuesday night against the Houston Rockets. Kawhi Leonard delivered his top-notch performance of the season, scoring 41 points to lead Los Angeles to a 128-108 win. It marked just the second time all year the Clippers have won back-to-back games, following a win over the Lakers on Saturday.
Right from the first bounce, Leonard moved fast, played hard. Hitting 16 out of 23 shots, he also drained four threes out of five tries. Harden chipped in with 29 points, twelve at the foul line when it mattered most. From deep, the Clippers found their rhythm, shooting 54 percent, and built a lead that grew after halftime.
A victory meant more than just numbers on paper. With a strong record coming in, Houston posed a real test while LA fought to hold onto their slim edge across games this year. Down by six at first, the team from Los Angeles turned things around during the middle stretch of play. Control shifted quickly, staying firm through the rest, up by sixteen once the third period ended.
After embracing Lue’s challenge, Leonard explained why the message resonated.
Kawhi Leonard on Ty Lue telling the Clippers to start the season over and go 35-20 the rest of the way: “It’s very helpful. We all know how many games we lost early… It’s a long season. So any time we put on this jersey, you gotta compete and try to win a basketball game. That’s what I’m taking pride in. I think everybody else is too. Win, lose, or draw… We don’t have a give-up mentality. Even tho the record looks like that.”
Kawhi Leonard on Ty Lue telling the Clippers to start the season over and go 35-20 the rest of the way:
“It’s very helpful. We all know how many games we lost early… It’s a long season. So any time we put on this jersey you gotta compete and try to win a basketball game. That’s… pic.twitter.com/JyOzbUPphm
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) December 24, 2025
Leonard’s words matched his play. There was no panic, no forcing shots, just steady control on both ends of the floor. For a team searching for direction, that example matters.
The Clippers still face a steep climb. Even giving up on finishing doesn’t guarantee anything in a crowded Western Conference. But the tone has shifted. Instead of frustration, there is focus. Instead of excuses, there is effort.
Tuesday night did not fix the season. But it showed what the Clippers can look like when their best player fully buys into the message. For now, that is enough to keep them moving forward.
