Headline Clippers regain defensive edge in fourth quarter, narrowly beat Hornets

James Harden drives to the basket with a determined look on his face against the Charlotte Hornets.

The Los Angeles Clippers are still learning how to win without Kawhi Leonard, but Tuesday night's 113-104 win over the Charlotte Hornets provided a glimmer of hope. While the Clippers' defense has struggled in recent losses, they rediscovered their defensive intensity in the fourth quarter to secure the win.

Defensive woes and Coach Lue's message

Coach Tyronn Lue admitted before the game that the Clippers defense was not as good as it should have been in their first two losses, citing a lack of physicality, rebounding and defensive rotations. That was evident in the first half, as 22 of the Hornets' 23 outside shots by halftime were made inside the paint.

Harden steps up as Clippers regroup in fourth quarter

James Harden was aggressive early in the first half, finishing the half with 20 points and five 3-pointers. Paul George joined the scoring column in the third quarter, but the Clippers were unable to put the Hornets away. However, when the game was tied at 91 early in the fourth quarter, Lou's message resonated. The Clippers tightened up their defense, holding Charlotte scoreless for more than four minutes and eventually building an eight-point lead thanks to the stellar play of Russell Westbrook (14 points, 11 rebounds and six assists).

Westbrook's role and the questions that remain

Westbrook's contributions off the bench were crucial as he showed his potential to remain a valuable player even with Leonard back. However, the Clippers' reliance on Harden's offensive outbursts and late-game defensive spikes raises concerns about their overall consistency. If they want to truly contend for a championship in the Western Conference, the team's defense will need to be more consistent throughout the game, not just in key moments.

Summarizing

While Tuesday's win was a step in the right direction, the Clippers still have to move on without Kawhi Leonard. They need to find a way to maintain their defensive intensity for longer stretches of time and develop a more consistent offensive rhythm outside of individual performances. The upcoming schedule against tough opponents will be a true test of their progress.