Telepeer

Clippers have been dialing up their defense during recent run

March 12, 2026

INGLEWOOD — Darius Garland’s impact can be noted in the Clippers’ scoring. In his six games, the team is averaging 126.3 points, up by more than 10 points over the previous 15.

Garland had 21 points on Wednesday night and was instrumental in the team’s 153-126 victory – a season-high point total – over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

But it’s not just the offense that has powered the Clippers (33-32) to six victories in their past seven games and over the .500 hump. A refocused defense has limited opponents to 113.6 points per game over their past 20; for the season they are at 112.6 (10th through Wednesday).

Through Wednesday’s games, the Clippers rank eighth in steals (8.9 per game) and 11th in opponent field goal percentage (46.6%). They’re also ninth in deflections and 11th in defensive loose balls recovered.

And it starts with the tandem of guard Kris Dunn and forward Derrick Jones Jr.

Over the past 10 games, Dunn has been all over the court, averaging 1.8 steals and 5.1 assists with 1.3 turnovers, with a defensive rating of 116.3, while scoring 7.1 points per game. Kawhi Leonard said he believes Dunn should earn recognition for his lock-down defensive play this season.

“Should be First Team All-Defense this year,” Leonard said.

“KD – just an animal,” Garland told reporters on March 4 after the Clippers beat the Golden State Warriors.

Jones, known best for his high-flying dunks, can also defend, averaging 1.4 steals, 1.1 blocked shots and 1.3 assists with 0.9 turnovers. He said he tries to stay in front of his man and cut them off before they reach the basket.

“Whatever way they try to go, I just cut it off,” he said after posting four steals, one block, four rebounds and one assist on Wednesday. “I mean, knowing that players have counters to counters to counters and as a defender, I know that sometimes you just got to bump them off their path and get a little physical sometimes.

“I got that label as a defender, so refs let me do that with us.”

Leonard said Dunn and Jones were key to slowing the Timberwolves in the first quarter, enabling the Clippers to get off to a strong start.

“Those guys have started the game off great for us tonight, getting deflections, especially Kris getting us out in transition early,” Leonard said. “They always guard the best player, and they bring a lot of energy for us.

“They are the head of the snake on that end of the floor.”

Dunn and Jones’ importance on defense was evident in the second quarter of Wednesday’s win when Coach Tyronn Lue sat both of them to start the second quarter. The Timberwolves used a 10-1 run against the Clippers’ second unit to trim an 11-point lead to three.

“We weren’t really good defensively,” Lue said. “So, we had to change up a little bit of the rotations to try to keep DJ or KD on the floor because the first half we had DJ and KD both out. I think Kawhi was out. So, it was kind of tough on us.”

Lue adjusted and had at least one of his top defenders on the court, which led to timely stops and allowed Garland to get out in transition.

“That’s how we got to play every night.”

The Clippers will be looking to test their defense on Friday against the Chicago Bulls (27-38) in the first game of a back-to-back set. They return to the Intuit Dome on Saturday night to face the Sacramento Kings (16-51).

BULLS AT CLIPPERS

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Intuit Dome

TV/radio: FDSN SoCal/570 AM

Orange County Register

News Details

Clippers have been dialing up their defense during recent run

BULLS AT CLIPPERS

News

CONTACT INFO

QUICK LINKS

SERVICES

CURRENT NEWS