Ty Lue Explains Reason for Controversial Lineup in Warriors-Clippers Game

The LA Clippers were embarrassed by the Golden State Warriors in their second straight road loss of the season

Oct 28, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; LA Clippers guard Chris Paul prepares to pass the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images | Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images

It's only been four games, but the LA Clippers have been an incredibly difficult team to predict this season. In their two home games, the team has looked rather impressive against the Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers.

However, in their two road games, including Tuesday night's game against the Warriors, they looked absolutely awful. Despite the poor play, the Clippers still had a chance to defeat the Warriors until they decided to run a lineup without Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, or Ivica Zubac in the game.

From that moment on, the game was an absolute tailspin. Down seven points in the third quarter, the Clippers ran a full bench lineup that violently allowed a 7-0 run in three minutes. A lineup consisting of Derrick Jones Jr., Chris Paul, Brook Lopez, Kris Dunn, and John Collins.

Tyronn Lue said that Kawhi Leonard and James Harden both got tired at the same time in the third quarter and that's why they came out. Harden, Lue says, asked to come out after playing 20 minutes in the first half.

— Justin Russo (@FlyByKnite) October 29, 2025

"Kawhi (Leonard) and James (Harden), in that third quarter, they got tired at the same time, so they both came out, and then it kind of snowballed from there," Lue admitted. "But like I said, they played well. Defensively, I thought they crowded us really well, we didn't attack the way we wanted to attack, and the bench looked stagnant."

Should the Clippers be Concerned?

While the Clippers are still 2-2 on the season, they've looked absolutely atrocious in their two losses so far. The team hasn't been able to score or play defense, looking completely lost at times. The team has received zero offensive production from any of their guards not named James Harden.

Unfortunately, with Bradley Beal out, missing a dynamic scorer like Norman Powell is hurting LA more and more as the days go by.

I’m not pining for Powell, but his quick hits really kept the chains moving for the Clippers in the halfcourt. Stress free quick hits that put points on the board. An element to their attack that is completely non existent right now pic.twitter.com/N4kjMNEjVc

— Justin W (@LAClippersFilm) October 29, 2025

There are two major issues with the Clippers right now.

One is the manner in which they're losing games. In the games the Clippers have lost, they look like a team completely lost and is an unserious contender. There was no more perfect example of that than their embarrassing opening night blowout loss against the Jazz.

Coast ➡️ coast 💨

📺 @NBCSAuthentic pic.twitter.com/jkHZ72lISe

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) October 29, 2025

The other big issue for the Clippers is that they have a very easy start to the schedule, and their team is relatively healthy. If the team is serious, then this is the immediate time to capitalize. They're in the midst of an incredibly favorable schedule, and it would be a disaster not to finish at least at 15-5.

2-2.

Pels
Heat
Thunder
Suns
Suns
Hawks
Nuggets
Mavs
Celtics
76ers
Magic
Hornets

Cant have many more L’s to teams we favored against. & cause of the jazz L gotta get 1 of DEN/OKC. 14-6, 15-5. Can’t ask for a more favorable stretch. https://t.co/kb4BVroev6

— Jamal Cristopher (@JamCristopher) October 29, 2025

It's Still Early

The biggest thing for Clippers fans to remember is that while the Clippers have looked very unimpressive in two of their first four games, it's also still very early. Clippers head coach Ty Lue has been notoriously known for finding his true lineups 20 games into the season.

Oct 28, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; LA Clippers guard James Harden (1) reacts after being called for the foul against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images | Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images

If there's one thing that the Clippers have shown so far, it's that they're still very clearly tinkering with their lineups right now. However, it's never a good sign that only missing Bradley Beal is this big of an issue for the team.