The Spurs were stung by their first defeat at the earliest regular season timing in recent memory. "That's why they went out and got him over the summer. Gobert's prowess down low is something all 30 teams would kill to have. We let this game get to that point, and we got a L to show for it," Coach Popovich said in low spirits. When asked if the Clippers wanted the win more badly, he said, "Maybe. We were the only team between them and the NBA Finals last June. All I know is we sure didn't play like winners tonight."
Dejounte Murray did tie the game after a dunk by Kawhi Leonard swiped a 2-PT advantage in what a 34-22 fourth quarter rally by the Clippers, but even that did not come easy. Andre Drummond closed out on new Clipper James Johnson's floater attempt, unfortunately leaving Gobert free to nab the fatal rebound. Johnson finished with 8 points (4-11). Gobert starred with 17 points, 17 rebounds.
This was a close game, too: the Spurs edged LA, 31-29 in the first, getting more spread 21-14 in the second, but the 3rd Quarter went 27-28 in San Antone's favor before the collapse. Kawhi Leonard played very well with 26 points (11-19) & Paul George was right there with him for 25 points & 7 assists. Patrick Beverley dished 12 assists.
In the crushing loss, Brandon Ingram nearly willed the Spurs to a win with 29 points (12-18, 3-5 3PT) but did not have much help. Andre Drummond had 12 points, 10 rebounds with 4 blocks, but missed a lot of gimmies down low, clearly bothered by Gobert (who wasn't there to do so in the Western Conference Finals last year). Evan Fournier had his first solid showing with 12 points, hitting two threes with 3 assists also, but Dejounte Murray stayed quiet with 10 points, 9 assists. Fred VanVleet shot 3-7, with Joe Harris going 2-6 from long range. Cold, Kent Bazemore & Thomas Bryant shot 2-10. Luka Samanic briefly rallied the team, hitting two nice shots to stay the lead, but it was not to last, despite 9 points by P.J. Tucker (though he only went 1-5 from long range).
