While the Celtics have successfully initiated the process of moving on without point guard Rajon Rondo, who tore his right anterior cruciate ligament Jan. 25 in Atlanta, the absence of Chris Paul was another sobering dose of reality for the Los Angeles Clippers in their 106-104 loss to the Celtics on Sunday at TD Garden.

Playing their seventh consecutive game without Paul, who was spotted on the visitors’ bench dressed in jeans, a dark dress shirt, and a beige sport coat, the Clippers sorely missed their star point guard. They committed 15 turnovers for 21 points in a second-quarter stumble that left them facing a daunting 59-40 halftime deficit.