By David Awopetu
Paul George led the way as the Los Angeles Clippers handed the Los Angeles Lakers a defeat on the opening night of their NBA Championship defence.
The Lakers unveiled their NBA Championship rings prior to the game, including a tribute to Kobe Bryant, following their series win over the Miami Heat earlier this year.
George replied to his own contrasting fortunes in the bubble with a game-high 33 points on the night, 26 of which arrived in the second half, as he finished 13 of 18 from the floor and five of eight from beyond the arc, as well as registering six rebounds and three assists.
It is the second successive year the Clippers have defeated the Lakers in their season opener.
The Lakers were presented with their NBA Championship rings before the game, which featured a mamba snake behind players’ numbers to honour former player Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash in January.
The top of the ring is also detachable, revealing retired Lakers’ jerseys – with Bryant’s number eight and 24 jerseys highlighted in purple.
The Lakers couldn’t cap off ring night with victory though, never leading against the Clippers who had at most a 22-point advantage in the first quarter.
LeBron James top-scored for the hosts at an empty Staples Centre, with 22 points.
In what was Tyronn Lue’s first league game as Clippers’ head coach, George and Leonard became only the third pair of Clippers’ team-mates – and the first since 2016 – to score 25 or more points in a season opener.
