Tyronn Lue is stunned by the question about the team’s collapse
The frustration that surrounds Los Angeles Clippers reached a boiling point on Friday night, and it showed most clearly with the head coach Tyronn Lue’s postgame press conference.
After the 129-101 loss, LA’s eighth loss in nine games, Lue was almost speechless when asked how difficult it was to get the Clippers to “keep their stuff together” defensively, pausing for a few seconds before sighing and offering no real answer.
Asked Tyronn Lue about the significant strides the Clippers’ defense has made, especially at the point of attack
T Lue mentioned that many factors are linked together
When I asked him how hard it was to get the Clippers to keep their stuff together … well, you see the reaction pic.twitter.com/Uvmgj2S8iT
— Lav Murray ⛲ (@LavMurraiTheNU) November 21, 2025
The numbers speak volumes. The Clippers are now 4-11, and Tuesday marked the ninth time in 15 games they’ve allowed one the opponent to hit at least 16 three-pointers, the most such games of any team in the NBA. Their perimeter defense broke down repeatedly, exposing poor coverage at the point of attack and slow rotations.
When asked directly what went wrong on that end of the floor, Lue mentioned that “a lot of factors” were tied together, citing breakdowns in communication, physical condition and effort, but the awkward silence after the reporter’s follow-up question reflected deeper problems.
meanwhile, James Harden scored 31 points, becoming the 11th player in NBA history to surpass 28,000 career points with a layup in the first quarter. But its breakthrough was overshadowed by mounting losses.
The Clippers continue to play shorthand as Kawhi Leonard missed his ninth straight game with an ankle/foot sprain, and Derrick Jones Jr. was sidelined with a knee injury he suffered Sunday in Boston. However, injuries alone do not explain the free fall in defense.
For a roster built to chase championships, the early season results have been far from encouraging. The sense of urgency is starting to feel like desperation, and on Friday, Tyronn Lue’s inability to form an answer spoke louder than any statistic.
2025-11-21 19:19:00
