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The Los Angeles Clippers had been made to attend earlier than they get a concrete Paul George damage replace.
A few weeks in the past, George suffered a sprained proper knee damage throughout the Clippers’ one-point loss by the hands of the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. George sustained the damage after colliding with Thunder wing Luguentz Dort, and was down on the ground for a number of minutes.
It has been reported that George will miss no less than the beginning of the Clippers’ first-round collection in opposition to the Phoenix Suns. Shams Charania mentioned, “[The Clippers] are gonna should get out of this collection with out [Paul George] if they need an opportunity probably to get him again.”
How does George’s absence impression Clippers’ playoff probabilities?
Happily for the Clippers, they’ve completed higher than anticipated within the midst of George’s absence. Whereas ready for a Paul George damage replace, the Clips received six of their final 9 video games, together with pivotal wins over the Thunder, Chicago Bulls, Memphis Grizzlies, and crosstown rivals Los Angeles Lakers.
Regardless of having George’s title on the Clippers damage information, the group nonetheless maintained a maintain on the fifth spot within the Western Convention standings. They’re matching up with the Phoenix Suns within the first-round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
Beneath the Clippers and the Warriors, the solid for the West play-in event consists of the Pelicans, Lakers, Timberwolves, and the Thunder. The Pelicans are one of many hottest groups within the NBA proper now, successful eight of their final ten video games. The Lakers aren’t too shabby both, as they’ve collected a 7-3 document of their final ten assignments.
The Clippers did properly to carry on to that outright playoff spot, particularly with George lacking a lot time. However come playoff time, who will step up if George stays sidelined? That query is an important one, particularly if the Clippers nonetheless wish to be among the finest NBA dynasties in historical past.
These Clipper gamers ought to step up
It’s already a on condition that Kawhi Leonard will produce when wanted. He’s again to being an elite two-way participant when he’s on the ground. The 2-time Finals MVP is presently norming 23.7 factors, 6.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.4 steals, whereas additionally producing taking pictures splits of 51.4/42.3/87.1 for a career-best 62.5% True Capturing.
Kawhi is simply averaging 33.7 minutes this season, however that’s a part of his load administration program. His taking part in time usually goes as much as 39 or 40 minutes within the playoffs, so anticipate extra out of the five-time All-Star within the postseason.
Eric Gordon
The veteran Gordon has performed 20 video games for the Clippers, averaging 11.5 factors on a scintillating 44.9% three-point taking pictures. He has solely normed 4.9 three-point makes an attempt in his return to Los Angeles, however since George’s absence, Eric Gordon has elevated that quantity to eight.2 makes an attempt.
Gordon’s capacity to house the ground will probably be essential for the Clippers, significantly in offering extra leeway for Kawhi and Russell Westbrook to do their stuff.
Terance Mann
It has been an on-and-off season for Terance Mann, who’s in his fourth 12 months with the Clippers. Mann signed a two-year, $22 million extension with the Clippers in 2021, and that may solely kick in throughout the 2023-24 season.
For now, Mann is just averaging 8.9 factors, 3.5 rebounds, and a couple of.3 assists, whereas producing a 62.2% True Capturing. He has all the time proven flashes of his scoring and playmaking skills, however we haven’t seen him string collectively 10 or extra video games of good all-around performances. Can Mann step up because the Clippers wait for an additional Paul George damage replace?
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