Ten takeaways from the LA Clippers’ first preseason game

PLAYA VISTA, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: DeAndre Jordan
PLAYA VISTA, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: DeAndre Jordan
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PLAYA VISTA, CA – SEPTEMBER 25: Austin Rivers
PLAYA VISTA, CA – SEPTEMBER 25: Austin Rivers

Austin Rivers had his ups and downs

Another returning player for the Clippers, Austin Rivers struggled a little bit in the team’s first preseason game of 2017. Starting alongside Beverley at the shooting guard position, Rivers was horrid on offense, shooting just 3-12 from the floor for eight points. The majority of the guard’s missed shots came on aggressive drives that Austin failed to convert on due to tough defense or uncalled contact. Rivers’ jump shot also wasn’t falling which seemed to frustrate the young player even more.
Rivers was solid on defense for the majority of the game, coming away with four steals on the night. Doc played Rivers for the majority of the game, allowing the guard to work on his conditioning and try to get out of his shooting funk (Rivers finished with a team-high 29 minutes). Austin also had another “Here comes Austin Rivers” moment when he ended a fast break with a Euro-step-esque fall away floater (I don’t even know what to call it) and then seemed to twist his ankle:

https://twitter.com/FlyByKnite/status/914706613381951488

We’re just gonna forget about that one and move on to the next game Austin. Don’t worry about it.