Clippers Rely on New Faces to Overcome Pacers in Playoff Race

The Los Angeles Clippers continue their eight-game road trip on Sunday with a crucial matchup against the Indiana Pacers—a game that could shake up both conference playoff standings.

Los Angeles sits in sixth place in the Western Conference, holding a one-game lead over Minnesota and Dallas. However, they’re coming off a 116-110 loss to Milwaukee on Thursday, a game in which they squandered a 13-point fourth-quarter lead.

Despite strong performances from Kawhi Leonard (25 points), James Harden (24 points, 8 assists), and Ivica Zubac (20 points, 15 rebounds), the Clippers were outscored 36-21 in the final period—a recurring issue for the team this season.

The loss snapped a three-game winning streak, and now they’re looking to bounce back against an Indiana team that already beat them 119-112 on Feb. 6.

Clippers Hope New Additions Provide a Spark

Since their last meeting with the Pacers, the Clippers have made key roster moves to strengthen their depth.

They signed Ben Simmons after his buyout from Brooklyn, and he made an immediate impact in his LA debut, posting 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists in a win over Utah.

“Ben’s pace, the way he gets the ball out quick, gets guys open shots—we need that,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said.

Los Angeles also added Bogdan Bogdanovic in a deal with Atlanta, shipping out Bones Hyland and Terance Mann. With Norman Powell (24.2 PPG) questionable due to knee soreness, the wing depth from Simmons and Bogdanovic could be crucial on Sunday.

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Pacers Riding Momentum With Turner Back

Indiana currently holds fourth place in the Eastern Conference, just a half-game ahead of Milwaukee. They returned from the All-Star break with a 127-113 win over Memphis, highlighted by a dominant defensive performance from Myles Turner.

Turner posted a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double, but more importantly, he blocked seven shots, anchoring Indiana’s defense.

Turner’s return from a three-game absence (neck injury) was a huge boost for head coach Rick Carlisle, who praised the big man’s impact.

“We had two pretty hard practices to get guys’ lungs opened up,” Carlisle said. “At the beginning of the game, [Turner] was feeling it. Then he got his second wind, and a lot of great things started happening.”

The Pacers are now 6-3 this season when Turner records a double-double, making him a key X-factor against LA.

Will LA’s New Pieces Deliver?

With both teams fighting for playoff positioning, this matchup could be a preview of high-stakes basketball down the stretch. Can the Clippers’ new-look lineup help them bounce back, or will Indiana’s defensive anchor Turner and Tyrese Haliburton (22 points, 9 assists vs. Memphis) push the Pacers one step closer to securing home-court advantage?