Dec 1, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) brings the ball up the court against the Miami Heat during the first half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn ImagesGrant MonaTue, December 2, 2025 at 4:56 AM UTC·4 min readThe Los Angeles Clippers fell to 5-16 on Monday night after getting destroyed by the Miami Heat 140-123 at the Kaseya Center, marking their 14th loss in the last 16 games and their worst 21-game start since the 2010-11 season when they began 4-17.
This wasn't just another loss for the Clippers, it was a complete breakdown that showed just how far this team has fallen and how badly they need to take a hard look in the mirror.
The Second Quarter Collapse
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe game was competitive early as the Clippers actually led by two points in the second quarter, but then everything fell apart in spectacular fashion.
Miami went on a devastating 30-2 run that basically ended the game before halftime, and the Clippers looked completely lost during the stretch.
They missed all 11 of their shot attempts during that run while Miami shot 9-for-12 from the field, and it was painful to watch. Back-to-back three-pointers from former Clipper Norman Powell finished off the run and put the Clippers down by 20 at halftime.
Things somehow got even worse to start the third quarter when Miami immediately went on a 12-0 run in just over two minutes, all on three-pointers, turning a 20-point halftime lead into a 32-point blowout.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Clippers pulled all five starters with over 10 minutes left in the third quarter after falling behind 85-56, and the game was over.
Kawhi Leonard's Lone Bright Spot
In what was otherwise a terrible performance by the entire team, Kawhi Leonard was the only Clipper who showed up in the second half.
Leonard finished with 36 points and scored 19 of them in the fourth quarter alone, trying his best to make the game respectable and getting the Clippers within 12 points with two minutes left.
But by then it was way too late, and Miami immediately responded with nine straight points to put the game away for good.
Leonard's effort in the fourth quarter was admirable, but it only highlighted how badly the rest of the team quit during the first three quarters.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementKawhi was asked about how things are in the locker room after the loss to the Heat, saying, "As you'd expect. Everybody wants to try to get a win and we're not finding one at the moment."
James Harden scored just 11 points in 20 minutes and didn't even play the final 22 minutes of the game, and the Clippers were outscored by 39 points when he was on the court. Ivica Zubac added 16 points and 13 rebounds, but it wasn't nearly enough.
Time for Soul Searching
The Miami Heat (14-7) made a franchise-record-tying 24 three-pointers on 52.2 percent shooting from beyond the arc, while the Clippers could only manage 9-of-29 (31 percent) from deep.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMiami shot 14-for-21 from three in the first half alone, while the Clippers went 3-for-15, and that 42-9 advantage from beyond the arc in the first half tells you everything you need to know about how one-sided this game was.
After starting 3-2, the Clippers have gone 2-14 and look completely lost on both ends of the floor. This team was supposed to be legitimate contenders in the Western Conference with Harden and Leonard leading the way, but instead they're sitting at 14th in the West and playing embarrassing basketball.
Head coach Tyronn Lue and the entire organization need to figure out what's wrong and fix it fast, because this season is slipping away and there's serious soul-searching that has to happen right now.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Clippers will try to stop the bleeding when they visit the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.
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