Notes from the Clippers final preseason game against the Lakers
By Paul Tooke
In a game played by mostly unofficial players for the regular season roster, the LA Clippers still kept the score close. The Clippers lost, but redemption is right around the corner as the two LA teams’ regular season rematch is scheduled for October 19th.
Clippers lose while running a mostly unofficial roster against the Lakers
As the Lakers dribbled the ball for the final seconds of the 4th quarter, the score stood at 111-104. The LA Clippers’ starting lineup consisted of Jawun Evans, Tyrone Wallace, C.J. Williams, Wesley Johnson, and Montrezel Harrell. The Lakers on the other hand were only missing one star, Lonzo Ball.
Jawun Evans and Tyrone Wallace shine
Evans managed to put up 22 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals in 42 minutes while Wallace had 23 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal and a block to his name in 45 minutes. As their hefty amount of minutes show, the backcourt was relied on throughout the game. It was nice to see Jawun Evans go off after a mostly lackluster preseason for the rookie guard. Wallace’s fate isn’t as determined as Evans’s, however, as he has been playing on a training camp deal rather than a season contract. No matter what their future holds, the two guards put up some great numbers and almost lead the team to a victory.
The team was having fun
All of the Clippers’ top players were on the bench for the entire game. They took this time to poke fun at Wesley Johnson for missing a dunk, act silly when highlights occurred, and to discuss basketball among themselves. What more can you ask for in a team’s last preseason game? We would have liked to see our “real team” in rotation, but it’s smart to not take any risks with the regular season just four days away.
The team will use this game to decide how to handle the unofficial players, and the real team will be ready to beat the Lakers come October 19th.