The LA Clippers secured their first preseason victory by overcoming the Brooklyn Nets, 115-106

The Los Angeles Clippers survived a gritty comeback by the Brooklyn Nets and emerged with their first preseason win on Tuesday night at the Frontwave Arena in Oceanside. James Harden had 14 points, four rebounds, and two assists in a solid first-half outing, while Kai Jones and Jordan Miller finished the Nets off in the second half. The two reserves scored 13 points apiece.

Fiery start

The Clippers got off to a blazing start and led by 17, 35-18, after the first, thanks to the superb showings of Harden, Terance Mann, and Norman Powell, the hometown kid.

However, the Nets kept their heads on straight and retaliated with a massive second-quarter run that put them ahead 57-54 at halftime. Aside from the Clippers falling into a maze of errors, they also lost starting forward Derrick Jones Jr., who got hit in the face and was ruled out of the game due to a face contusion.

Undeterred by the letdown, the Clippers gathered their bearings and got a spark from Jones, the young big man who has been working hard in the offseason to gain a spot in Ty Lue’s rotation. In the third quarter, the former Texas center had five slam dunks to help LA retake the lead, 83-76, heading to the final quarter.

Miller time

Brooklyn last threatened at the midway point of the fourth, trimming a 12-point deficit in half with consecutive three-pointers from Jaylen Martin and Tyrese Martin. However, Jordan Miller stemmed the tide by scoring several crucial baskets down the stretch to secure the win for the Clippers.

The Clippers’ next preseason game will be Friday against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.

Related: Mann in, Dunn out of Clippers' starting five for matchup vs. Brooklyn