Chris Paul scored 23 points, reserve Jamal Crawford added 21 points and the Los Angeles Clippers again overcame Blake Griffin’s absence, beating the Washington Wizards, 108-91, on Monday night.
DeAndre Jordan had 15 points and 13 rebounds for the Clippers, who got 54 points from the substitutes in their third consecutive win and second since Griffin was ruled out for at least two weeks with a quadriceps strain.
Even Paul helped make up for the loss of Griffin inside with a rare two-dunk performance. The Clippers never trailed and led by at least 10 points throughout the last three quarters.
John Wall had 23 points and 11 assists, and Marcin Gortat added 12 points and 16 rebounds as the Wizards’ four-game win streak was snapped.
Otto Porter added 21 points off the bench for Washington, which is still dealing with injuries to starting guard Bradley Beal and reserves Nene, Gary Neal and Drew Gooden.
Paul’s first dunk capped a 21-6 game-opening run, with the 6-foot guard raising his arms in triumph toward his celebrating bench.
He failed to grab the rim on his second, but still sent his teammates leaping down the baseline in delight after an overhead slam on a three-point play made it 53-34.
Paul Pierce scored nine points for the Clippers in his first game in Washington since helping the Wizards to last season’s Eastern Conference semifinals.
He remembered that season fondly, even though he chose the Clippers over the Wizards in free agency this offseason.
He said his offseason decision stemmed his relationship with coach Doc Rivers and a desire to return to his home city, not any bad feelings toward Washington.
Pierce started for a fourth time in 30 games this season. Jordan posted a third consecutive double-double for the third time this season and his 17th overall. Reserve point guard Austin Rivers returned from an ankle injury after missing four games.
For the Wizards, Gortat posted his 16th double-double of the season.
Beal, who has a stress reaction in his right leg, could begin non-basketball related activities this week, coach Randy Wittman said. He hasn’t played since Dec. 9.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.