Another game-winner that took forever to go in. Maybe Kawhi Leonard does practice these shots after all. However, even with his enthralling buzzer-beater, the Clippers-Kings game was a back-and-forth battle. In a desperate attempt to put together wins, the Clippers fought back from down seven in the final moments of the fourth quarter. But it wasn’t so easy for the LA team tonight.

It wasn’t because they went up against a clutch demon in DeMar DeRozan. He sure did give them problems being spotless in overtime. However, the Clippers found out just moments before the game that their head coach Ty Lue wouldn’t be on the sidelines. He traveled back home after suffering from back pain.

Likewise, James Harden admitted their gutted-out win wasn’t as “pretty”. Not having Lue’s decision-making beside them made the job hard. But acting head coach Brian Shaw waded his team to a memorable win this season. Harden was a huge part of his plans, forcing overtime and nearly sealing the game too. But it still felt slightly awkward for the Beard not to have his usual head coach.

“I mean haven’t done it yet. That was our first time so I think you know our coaches is prepared, we’re prepared. We all understand what’s at stake and what we have to be to win. You know tonight wasn’t the prettiest but you know we’ll take the win,” James Harden explained.

But even without Lue drawing up expert plays in these big moments, Harden and Leonard ensured the Clippers kept their win streak alive. They have now won three games in a row. It bodes well considering the fight for the 6th seed could open up if the Warriors or Wolves lose even one game.

They also got a win against an in-form Sacramento Kings team that recently went on a five-game winning streak. It was a contested battle that needed perseverance and a tough mindset. The Los Angeles Clippers had both of those tonight.

The Clippers are just as tough as Ty Lue

Not having Tyronn Lue must have been strange for the Clippers players. His sharpness and intellect are especially valuable in such high-pressure situations. However, can you imagine what it must have been for Brian Shaw? He’s been at the side of Lue for the entire season. But being a head coach comes with a different set of challenges.

Shaw acted like a veteran in spite of that. He trusted his big-time players including Leonard. The Klaw had a measly shooting night, only scoring 15 before the final seconds. But still, the acting head coach put him in the right position. “I still put my money on him with him with the ball in the free throw area,” Shaw expanded.

For his first game in charge, a see-saw contest with 23 lead changes definitely showcased the Clippers’ coaching staff’s resilience. Without the regular guy at the helm, the next guy-up mentality goes beyond just their players. However, Brian Shaw did come with some positive news about Ty Lue.

While he wasn’t able to show up today, the acting head coach assures he was still vicariously present. “In some pain. You know his back is bothering him. Ty is tough as nails so for him to sit out a game, you know it has to be something that’s really really bothering him. So we were in constant communication with him throughout the game and the guys you know they stayed with it,” Shaw shared.

It’s unsure whether the Clippers’ head coach will miss other guys alluding to his back problems. This is the first time such an issue has come up. And going off Shaw’s words, there is a chance Ty Lue opts to rest for maybe another game albeit confident in Shaw and the coaching staff’s abilities to navigate through tough situations.

In many ways, this was a statement win for the Clippers. Unforeseen challenges came in their way, but they displayed grit and won a huge game tonight.