LA Clippers get blown out in back to back games vs Philly, Cleveland as Harden is traded- Feb 2026

February 5, 2026 todd elliot

Game Review: Clippers vs. 76ers — Monday Loss, 128-113

Monday night’s contest in Inglewood got away from the Clippers early and never really tightened up, as Philadelphia came out firing on all cylinders en route to a 128-113 victory over Los Angeles.

What went wrong for the Clippers:

Missing James Harden again — Harden sat out his second straight game due to personal reasons, leaving a glaring hole in the offense and ballhandling.
The team looked out of sync throughout, especially early, falling into a 23-point halftime deficit that was too big to overcome.

76ers leaders on offense:

Tyrese Maxey was explosive, finishing with 29 points and several key 3-pointers to keep Philly in control from start to finish.
Dominick Barlow posted a big night with 26 points and 16 rebounds, dominating the boards and backing up Maxey’s scoring punch.
Joel Embiid added 24 points, giving Philly an inside presence that the shorthanded Clippers struggled to contain.

Clippers standouts:

Kawhi Leonard tried to carry the offense, scoring 29 points, but it wasn’t enough to stem Philly’s early surge.
Beyond Kawhi, contributions were limited in key stretches, and the Clippers couldn’t muster a consistent push to close the gap.

Final takeaway: Missing Harden’s playmaking and depth contributions showed — the Clippers looked disjointed at times, struggled to match Philly’s early intensity, and wound up on the short end of a game that got out of hand well before the fourth quarter.

Team Review: Clippers’ Current State Amid Suspension & Injuries

Aside from Monday’s loss, the Clippers have been navigating a tough patch with roster disruptions that have materially impacted their rhythm and cohesion.

Paul George suspension:

The NBA handed Paul George a 25-game suspension for violating the league’s anti-drug policy, sidelining him through much of the season.
His absence removes a key secondary scorer and two-way wing option from the rotation — someone who had averaged roughly 16 points per game this season prior to the ban.
While not directly affecting the Clippers lineup, George’s suspension has shifted the landscape in the Eastern Conference (specifically for the 76ers), indirectly influencing competitive balance and matchup planning.

Clippers chemistry and depth issues:

Without Harden (due to personal reasons) and with George unavailable in the league, the Clippers have repeatedly been forced to adjust on the fly.
Kawhi has shouldered a heavy load — his high scoring nights are often offset by a lack of consistent support from the second and third scoring options.
When healthy, role players like John Collins, Kobe Sanders, and Jordan Miller have contributed, but the lineup still feels out of sync at times, especially against hot shooting teams like the 76ers on Monday.

Outlook:
Los Angeles remains competitive when pieces are healthy and clicking, but the missing pieces (Harden’s absence, George’s suspension) have made them vulnerable in blowout scenarios — especially on nights where the starters can’t build consistent runs or stop hot opposing scorers early.

Game Review: Clippers vs. Cavs — Home Blowout After Major Trade

Wednesday night’s matchup at the Intuit Dome quickly turned into another frustrating outing for the Clippers as the Cleveland Cavaliers dominated 124–91 in a game that was overshadowed by blockbuster trade news and roster upheaval.

The Context: James Harden Trade

Hours before tip-off, the Clippers and Cavs completed a major trade that sent James Harden to Cleveland in exchange for Darius Garland and a 2026 second-round pick — a seismic shift for both rosters. Harden, an 11-time All-Star, had been averaging 25.4 points, 8.1 assists, and 4.8 rebounds this season. Garland, a two-time All-Star, had averaged 18.0 points and 6.9 assists for Cleveland in the early part of the year.

Neither Harden nor Garland played Wednesday night due to paperwork timing, but the emotional and tactical ramifications were evident on the floor for both teams.

What Happened On The Court

Cleveland Controlled From Start to Finish

Donovan Mitchell was the story for the Cavaliers, going off for 29 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds — dominating the tempo and punishing the Clippers on both ends.
Jaylon Tyson added 17 points, while Cleveland shot an efficient 51% overall and 39% from three, turning L.A.’s mistakes into easy baskets.

Clippers Struggled to Compete

Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 25 points, and John Collins chipped in 19, but that was about it for L.A.’s scoring punch.
Ivica Zubac sat out the game due to the birth of his child, leaving another key piece missing in the frontcourt.
The Clippers shot just 21.4% from three, and 24 turnovers led to 47 points for Cleveland — a stat line that tells the story of a team that never found rhythm or defensive stops.

Result: Another home blowout, and the second consecutive loss for a Clippers squad still trying to find its footing amid roster changes.

What’s In Store for the Clippers

The Clippers enter a pivotal stretch with a mix of hope and uncertainty:

New Backcourt Dynamic

Darius Garland’s arrival gives L.A. a younger, All-Star point guard who should add pace and playmaking once he’s healthy and integrated into the rotation.
For now, he’s sidelined with a toe injury, meaning the Clippers will need to lean on the current roster for continuity while Garland ramps back up.

Team Website & Updates

You can catch official reactions, player interviews, and deeper analysis on the Clippers’ official site here: https://www.nba.com/clippers

Moving Forward

With Garland’s eventual debut and the return of Zubac, L.A. will try to regain its identity and consistency.
Kawhi remains the anchor, but the absence of stable secondary scorers and the adjustment to a new backcourt means the next few weeks are a recalibration period.
The Clippers’ playoff hopes hinge on finding offensive flow and defensive cohesion — something that didn’t show up in back-to-back blowouts versus Philly and Cleveland.