The short handed Portland Trail Blazers lost a close game tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night, 132-127. The Clippers were led by Kawhi Leonard’s 34 points on 11-19 shooting and 20 points apiece from Paul George and James Harden. The Blazers were led by a season high 38 points from Anfernee Simons. The scoring guard went 13-13 from the free-throw line. Shaedon Sharpe added 27 points and Scoot Henderson scored a career-high 19 points leading all bench scorers.
The Clippers used their size and strength to establish an early lead. But the young Portland squad, still down Malcom Brogdon, Jerami Grant, and Deandre Ayton, took the Clippers’ first punch and got right back up.