Portland Trail Blazers vs LA Clippers Match Player Stats On Oct 25, 2023

Paul George scored 27 points and Kawhi Leonard added 23 as the Los Angeles Clippers made easy work of their season opener with a 123-111 victory over the visiting Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday.

Ivica Zubac had 20 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots while Russell Westbrook had 11 points and 13 assists for the Clippers, who extended their winning streak over the Trail Blazers to six games, including all three last season.

Veterans George and Leonard have been limited by injuries the past two seasons, but the large lead throughout allowed the duo to ease into the season by playing 32 and 29 minutes, respectively.

Malcolm Brogdon scored 20 points off the bench in his Portland debut and Anfernee Simons added 18 as the Trail Blazers played their first game in 12 seasons without Damian Lillard on the roster. Lillard was moved to the Milwaukee Bucks in the offseason after requesting a trade.

The new-look Blazers had a number of team debuts. Robert Williams III produced 10 points and seven rebounds, Deandre Ayton added four points and 12 rebounds and rookie Scoot Henderson delivered 11 points and four assists as the starting point guard.

Henderson, the No. 3 overall selection in this year's draft, did not score in the first half and committed four turnovers overall while shooting 5 of 11 from the field in the game.

The Clippers took control from the outset, leading by as many as 12 points in the first quarter before taking a 67-47 lead into halftime by shooting 56.5 percent from the field.

Portland managed to pull within 16 in the third quarter before Los Angeles went on a 17-3 run to lead 96-66. The Clippers were up 99-73 at the end of the period.

After consecutive 3-pointers by the Blazers early in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 102-79, Leonard and George returned, and Los Angeles pulled ahead 115-91 with 5:18 remaining.

The Clippers were without projected starting guard Terance Mann because of a left ankle sprain.

--Field Level Media