The LA Clippers began their preseason in a matchup against the Guangzhou Loong Lions, a member of the Chinese Basketball Association. While the game was an exhibition match, it featured many NBA All-Star caliber players. For the Clippers, James Harden and Kawhi Leonard did their thing. The Loong Lions have former All-Star Victor Oladipo, and former NBA veterans Frank Kaminsky, Justin Holiday, and Tim Frazier.

And while the preseason is ideal for ramping up those veteran stars, it gives the opportunity to some of the younger, less developed players the chance to play at an NBA level without extreme consequences.

That was the exact case for Trentyn Flowers, the 20 year-old forward for the Clippers. He spent much of last season with the San Diego Clippers, LA’s G League team.

Flowers finished with 10 points on 4-of-5 field goal attempts. He was one of six players to finish with double digit scoring. The others who also had double digit points were more established players like Leonard, Ivica Zubac, John Collins, Chris Paul and Jordan Miller. These are players who are expected to be major key and role players for LA this upcoming NBA season. 

But Flowers — he’s the young talent. He’s one of the guys they put in to be a body on the court while the veterans rest. He’s not supposed to be one of the highest scoring players in the game, yet he did it anyways.

After the game, he talked about his offseason. “Worked on a lot of things I felt I needed to work on. I got stronger — (there was) a big emphasis on my defense,” he said. The topic then switched to his shooting, which is something Flowers wanted to improve after his first season in San Diego. “For sure, I mean last year was just building a foundation as you know, I shot damn near 40% in the G League. Now coming out here and working on that this summer — and like I said, defense was my emphasis (though).”

While most of the other two-way players who played in the game, but also represented the San Diego Clippers last season, only played in the second half. Flowers, however, got a stint in the first half with the veteran starters like Harden and Leonard. 

“It felt good. Just being out there with dudes like James (Harden), Kawhi (Leonard), Zu (Zubac) it was really good to be out there (playing with those guys),” he said.

EXCLUSIVE:

Talked to LA Clippers’ Trentyn Flowers 1-on-1 post game and asked a few things:

“Just being out there with dudes like James (Harden), Kawhi (Leonard), Zu (Zubac) it was really good to be out there (playing with those guys)”

Full soundbite below: pic.twitter.com/tz7ivzWTWT

— Jared Knobloch (@jknobloch8) October 10, 2025

“My goal is to be a connector,” said Flowers. “I want to be able to play with guys like (Harden and Leonard). I feel like I was able to do that (tonight), and it was amazing to be out there with them.”

The San Diego Clippers’ season begins on November 8. On that note Flowers said, “Man, Frontwave (Arena) and Oceanside, they have the best fans in the G League. I’m glad to play here and I love all my San Diego people.”