Same Old Clippers? Five Alarming Takes from LA’s Embarrassing Season Opener Meltdown in Utah
The LA Clippers entered their season opener talking about a fresh start, new energy, and a more connected squad. What they delivered instead was a stunning reminder that hype doesn’t win basketball games. Utah ran them off the floor 133-112, exposing every weakness the Clippers hoped to leave behind last year. From broken ball movement to flat energy and defensive confusion, this was not the statement debut that LA fans were promised.
The Offense Looked Completely Out of Sync
The Clippers never found a groove offensively, looking more like a group meeting for the first time than a team with playoff aspirations. The ball stuck, players stood still, and possessions dragged until someone forced a contested jumper. James Harden’s 15 points and 11 assists couldn’t mask how stagnant the offense felt. For a team with so much star power, the lack of rhythm was glaring.
Turnovers Buried Them Before the Game Even Started
Nine turnovers in the first quarter? That’s a nightmare start by any standard. The Jazz fed off every mistake, turning those giveaways into transition buckets and easy momentum. By the time the Clippers tried to settle down, Utah had already built a 24-point lead, and the rest of the night felt like damage control. A team full of veterans should not look this careless with the basketball.
Defense Was All Talk, No Substance
The Clippers’ defense, long considered their identity, completely disappeared in this one. Utah picked them apart with ball movement and spacing, making LA’s rotations look painfully slow. Walker Kessler made NBA history with a perfect seven-for-seven shooting night, including 22 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks, while barely breaking a sweat. When your opponent is celebrating milestones, it’s clear that something went very wrong.
The Energy Was Flat From Start to Finish
The most troubling takeaway wasn’t the score; it was the lack of fight. The Clippers looked disengaged from the opening tip, showing no urgency or emotion even as the deficit ballooned. Utah played like a team hungry to prove a point, while LA looked like one waiting for the game to end. For a roster loaded with stars, that lack of competitive fire was hard to ignore.
Chemistry Still Looks Like a Work in Progress
All offseason, the Clippers talked about being more connected, more cohesive, and more in sync. On Wednesday night, none of that showed up. Ivica Zubac stood out with 19 points and seven rebounds, yet the team around him looked completely disconnected. The slow pace, poor spacing, and awkward offensive flow made it clear that the “new era” still feels a lot like the old one.
