Darius Garland Guides Clippers to a 139-123 Breakthrough

The LA Clippers had spent their first eight games searching for a lift. On Sunday, Darius Garland gave them one, steering a 139-123 win over the New Orleans Pelicans with 24 points and 10 assists. The victory moved Los Angeles to 2-7 and stopped the Pelicans’ chance to bounce back after entering at 4-5.

New Orleans looked ready to control the night early. Trey Murphy III hit a three-pointer, Zion Williamson powered in close to the rim, and the Pelicans pushed ahead 13-12 after Murphy stole the ball from Garland and scored. Yet the Clippers did not panic. Garland answered with a pullup jumper and a deep three, while Brook Lopez scored from inside and outside. The teams ended the first quarter tied, 28-28, after a back-and-forth race.

Then Los Angeles found its turning point with its second group. Guard Dick stole a pass and dunked to start the second quarter. Rookie Keaton Wagler followed with a 27-foot three-pointer, and the Clippers kept moving the ball. Garland later drilled another three, Lopez ran for a layup, and Rui Hachimura finished a dunk as the lead grew to 42-34.

The Pelicans had plenty of fight. Williamson was perfect on all nine of his field-goal tries and scored 25 points, using his strength for layups, dunks, and free throws. Murphy scored 26 points, while Jeremiah Fears added 25 with quick drives and three-point shots. Their work cut the Clippers’ lead to 65-60 at halftime, keeping the game wide open.

New Orleans finally surged in front during the third quarter. Fears stole a pass and raced for a layup to make it 78-77, Pelicans. Karlo Matkovic then hit a three, and Murphy’s long jumper put New Orleans up 83-79. This was the moment the Clippers needed a response.

They got one from all over the floor. Guard Dunn hit two third-quarter threes. Forward Miller blocked two shots, made a dunk, and helped create extra chances. Guard Sanders buried two late threes, and Dick scored 15 points on 6-for-7 shooting. The Clippers closed the third quarter on a 23-12 burst to lead 102-95.

Wagler made sure the burst became a breakout. He opened the fourth with a three, then hit another three and a jumper as Los Angeles built a 115-101 lead. Lopez added 20 points and seven rebounds, repeatedly winning loose balls near the hoop. Garland returned to deliver an alley-oop pass to Lopez and sank three free throws after a foul from beyond the arc.

The Clippers finished with 34 assists and only 11 turnovers, a sharp answer to their early-season trouble protecting the ball. New Orleans had 16 turnovers, and those lost possessions helped turn a close contest into a Clippers celebration. Los Angeles next faces the Phoenix Suns with proof that its young and veteran players can win together. The Pelicans, now 4-6, head to face the Golden State Warriors, carrying strong scoring nights from Williamson, Murphy, and Fears but needing a cleaner finish.