The Los Angeles Clippers’ 2025-26 NBA season didn’t just start on the wrong foot . It stumbled, fell, and face-planted in Salt Lake City. Following a brutal 129-108 loss to the Utah Jazz on opening night, Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue wasted no time sending a clear message to his veteran starters.

“If our first unit can't get off to better defensive starts, subs will be made faster,” Lue said bluntly after the game. “It’s a learning experience, just kind of see what our team is made of. … If I got to make early subs from here on out, then that’s what we gotta do.”

Lue’s words reflected the frustration of a head coach who watched his star-studded lineup, featuring Kawhi Leonard , James Harden , and Ivica Zubac , fall apart early. The Clippers were outscored 43-19 in the fir

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