OCEANSIDE, Calif. — The LA Clippers opened their preseason slate with authority Thursday night, beating the Guangzhou Loong Lions 142-95 at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside. The lopsided victory gave head coach Tyronn Lue his first extended look at a revamped roster that looks to be in title contention.
Balanced Attack Fuels Blowout
The Clippers’ offense operated like a well-oiled machine, with 13 players scoring. Kawhi Leonard led the way with 18 points on an efficient 6-of-10 shooting, including 5-of-8 from beyond the arc in just 18 minutes. The star forward’s limited playing time showed the coaching staff’s emphasis on evaluating roster depth rather than running up the score.
John Collins and Chris Paul each contributed 15 points off the bench. Collins, providing the kind of interior presence that has been missing from Los Angeles recently, was acquired via trade this offseason. He added four rebounds and shot an impressive 6-of-8 from the field, showcasing the versatility that made him an attractive target for the front office.
Why the Clippers Won
The Clippers could not miss. The team connected on 62.7% from the field and 48.8% from three-point range. The Clippers’ 42-point third quarter effectively put the game out of reach, turning a competitive first half into a rout.
Defensively, Los Angeles forced 21 turnovers while recording 10 steals and 10 blocks, showing the length and athleticism that defines this roster. The Loong Lions, featuring former NBA players Victor Oladipo (24 points) and Frank Kaminsky, couldn’t overcome the talent disparity despite some early competitive efforts.
Collins is the X-Factor
No addition carries more intrigue than Collins, whose combination of athleticism, shooting, and rim protection addresses multiple roster needs. In his Clippers debut, the former Atlanta Hawks lottery pick displayed exactly why the organization pursued him aggressively.
I asked Ty Lue about John Collins performance last night: 👇
“He’s going to be really good for us – just gotta make sure I have him in the right positions on the floor”
On Zu: 😂
“If this would’ve been a regular game, we would’ve posted Zu 40 times tonight” pic.twitter.com/MtdWJnWlVH
— Grant “Money” Mona (@Gmona48) October 10, 2025
Collins’ ability to play both forward positions gives Lue flexibility, particularly in smaller lineups. His 75% shooting night included several explosive finishes at the rim that energized the Frontwave Arena crowd of 5,993.
Looking Ahead
Bogdan Bogdanovic left with low back soreness and did not return, with no updates yet as to his condition moving forward.
The Clippers continue their preseason schedule Sunday against the Denver Nuggets at Intuit Dome, a rematch of their playoff loss from May of this past season. That contest will offer a clearer picture of where this team stands against legitimate playoff opponents, with the notion that the Nuggets will play their starters.