Clippers after deadline: Postgame reaction after Clippers earn first win against Thunder
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The Clippers snapped an 0-4 start to the season by thumping the Oklahoma City Thunder 107-92 Wednesday at Staples Center.
Guard Eric Gordon led the way with a game-high 27 points on 10-of-17 shooting, and rookie guard Eric Bledsoe pitched in with 17 points and eight assists.
The win comes before the team embarks on a four-game road trip Thursday against Denver, Utah, New Orleans and San Antonio.
Here are some additional postgame quotes from Clippers and Thunder players and coaches:
Gordon on beating Oklahoma City, a team that pushed the Lakers to the brink in the first round of last season’s playoffs: ‘That makes it even better. That is a real good, young athletic team, and that’s a good team to beat. We needed this win at home before we get on the road and play against another couple of good teams. At least this gives us an idea about how to win.’
Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro on getting the first win of the season: ‘Well, we got it done. I thought Eric Bledsoe did a very nice job pushing the tempo. He rushed a few, but you can deal with that. I liked his aggressiveness. I thought Ryan Gomes on Kevin Durant did a very nice job because Kevin’s obviously one of the toughest covers in the league. So those two guys in particular did a good job. And I thought our bench overall, Rasual [Butler], DeAndre [Jordan] and Craig [Smith] really came in and gave us a big boost.’
Thunder Coach Scott Brooks on the Clippers’ young core: ‘Eric Bledsoe is quick. That guy has a bright future. He is very aggressive, and his coaches have done a great job with developing him. He controlled the game tonight. Blake Griffin is really good, and Eric Gordon always has a great game every time we play him.’
Thunder forward Kevin Durant, who scored just 16 points on six-of-24 shooting: ‘We let the Clippers have confidence early. We just didn’t show up. I didn’t show up. I’m the leader of this team. Everybody follows me, so if I don’t show up, the team doesn’t show up. That’s why we lost.’
-- Baxter Holmes