No two-ways, no problem for Clippers in G League win

OCEANSIDE -- After getting off to a 2-2 start to the NBA G League season, the San Diego Clippers (3-2) handled business in a win over the Rip City Remix (3-1) 129-118.

This was truly a shorthanded game for San Diego. All their two-way players, plus assignment rookie Yanic Konan Niederhauser were absent for the matchup, as they were all with the Los Angeles Clippers in Cleveland for their game against the Cavaliers.

This truly was a "next man up" type of game for the Clippers. After scoring a season-high 42 points in the first quarter, the momentum carried them for the rest of the game. Without their core guys, the rest of the team stepped up -- all five starters were double-digit scorers, plus a sixth off the bench. Led by Patrick Baldwin Jr.'s career-high 35 points, the team looked composed against a fast paced Remix squad.

Noting on the next man up mentality, Baldwin Jr. said, "I think that's what the whole G League is about. You got a lot of guys fighting for, you know, prolonging their careers, moving up a level. Just trying to show what they can do." He continued," You'll have assignments in and out, you'll have two-ways in and out. That's just part of the G League, and we know whether they're here or not we all have to bring our best."

The biggest take away from this game is the clear poise this team has compared to last season. We're only five games in and they do sit at that 3-2 record, but threats come from all directions with this team. "We got no egos (on this team). We have (many) guys that can get 30 (points) every night, and we're more than comfortable with sharing the ball and finding a man," said Baldwin Jr.

Take Taylor Funk for example, the 28 year-old out of Utah State. He's been in the G League and can clearly shoot the ball well. In tonight's win against Rip City, he finished with 22 points (just behind Baldwin Jr.) and went 6-of-9 from beyond the arc. When San Diego plays compared to last season, it feels like anyone can score, which helps spread the floor out.

A final takeaway from this game -- the Clippers' rebounding has also tremendously improved. With a vastly different front court dynamic in Derek Ogbeide (usually Neiderhouser would get the start) they have veteran depth at the center position and it feels like cleaning the glass is easier.

The San Diego Clippers have a lot of hope going for them as they continue their homestand. Their next game will be against Bronny James and the South Bay Lakers in a back-to-back. The first game is on November 29, with tip-off at Frontwave Arena at 7:00 p.m.