The LA Clippers' 2025-26 season began as a nightmare, stumbling to a dismal 6-21 record through their first 27 games. In NBA history, 116 teams have started that poorly, and not a single one has ever clawed its way back to a .500 finish by season's end. The Clippers, it seemed, were destined for the lottery.
But head coach Tyronn Lue refused to accept that fate. He laid down a clear and daunting challenge to his team: go 35-20 over the remaining 55 games to finish the season at .500. It was a monumental task that required a complete cultural and competitive turnaround.
The catalyst for that change was a healthy and dominant Kawhi Leonard. Since December 20th, Leonard has been a force of nature, emerging as the only player in the NBA averaging over 30 points and two steals per game. His two-way brilliance provided the foundation for the comeback. "I think the biggest thing is a healthy Kawhi," Lue acknowledged, praising his team's resilience for not giving up when all seemed lost.
The front office also reshaped the roster, making a bold move by trading James Harden to Cleveland for dynamic young guard Darius Garland. They also sent Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown to Indiana, signaling a shift in strategy.
The new-look Clippers began to click. The turnaround hit a historic peak in March during their 65th game, when the team tied a franchise record by dropping 153 points in a regulation win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. That victory pushed their record to 33-32, marking the first time all season they climbed above the .500 mark—a symbolic and hard-fought milestone.
Darius Garland quickly proved his worth in the backcourt, stringing together three consecutive 20-point games and knocking down 13 three-pointers in that span. His seamless integration provided the backcourt spark the team desperately needed.
True to his word from December, Tyronn Lue saw his team embrace the "stacking wins" mentality. What began as one of the worst starts in the league has transformed into one of its most remarkable in-season resurrections, a testament to coaching, star power, and a roster that refused to quit.