Tyronn Lue still has hope for LA despite a 6-20 start

OKLAHOMA CITY — After Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue addressed James Harden’s day-to-day status due to a left shin contusion, he talked about turning the regular season around. The Clippers entered Thursday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder tied with the Sacramento Kings for the second-worst record in the Western Conference (6-20).

Still, Lue says, with just 26 of 82 games under his belt, the Clippers have plenty of regular season games left. keep their playoff hopes alivehe said during his pregame media availability.

“We just have to get better. The season’s not over. I know you liked your comment, but we’re four games away from the playoffs,” Lue said. “That has to be our mindset going forward. Then, when we get there, it takes however many games it takes to get out of the 6. We have to play better, which we have in the last four of five games. But we have to be able to close games and finish them. That’s what we’ve been struggling with.

“Instead of 48 minutes, we played 37 minutes. It’s just not enough if you want to beat some of these good teams,” Lue concluded.

Ty Lue was asked about the Clippers’ season without competition: “It’s got to get better. The season’s not over. I know how you like your comment better, but we’re 4 games away from the playoffs.”

That has to be our mindset… once we get there, it takes however many games it takes to get out of the 6” pic.twitter.com/TGlZlSKSI5P

— Joshua Pavon (@joe_svai) December 19, 2025

The Clippers enter the Paycom Center looking to snap a four-game sweep against the defending champions.

James Harden has sidelined the Clippers with a lingering calf injury

While head coach Tyronn Lue says Clippers veteran James Harden’s nagging calf injury is day-to-day, facing the Thunder without their best scorer will be a challenge. Still, Lue believes his team is ready for it, given how well the Clippers have played of late. However, finishing games strong remains an issue, which Lue addressed before the game.

Lue knows how rare it is for Harden to miss games, which gives him an idea of ​​that how important rest isand for other Clippers players to step up in James’ absence.

“When he’s out, there’s something really wrong with him, and we understand that,” Lue said. “I just thought it was smart for him to try to make amends.”

Tyronn Lue says he’s not too concerned about James Harden’s left calf contusion and says Harden is day-to-day

“When he’s out, there’s something really wrong with him and we understand that … we just thought it was smart for him to try and make it right” pic.twitter.com/RBi4Ejodns

— Joshua Pavon (@joe_svai) December 18, 2025

After facing the Thunder on the road, the Clippers will host the Lakers on Saturday.