According to the LA Times’ Andrew Greif, LA Clippers coach Doc Rivers believes Luc Mbah a Moute will be healthy and ready for Wednesday’s opener.
After appearing in just one of five possible preseason games, it sounds as though LA Clippers forward Luc Mbah a Moute will be healthy and ready for Wednesday’s regular season opener against the Denver Nuggets, according to the LA Times’ Andrew Greif.
Mbah a Moute had sat out of the final four preseason games due to a right calf strain, a decision that was mainly precautionary. Fortunately, the Clippers didn’t experience any major injuries during the initial portion of the NBA season.
The 32-year-old forward suited up for the LA Clippers for the first time since April 2017 against the Sydney Kings, recording five points, three rebounds, and two steals across 16 minutes.
Per Greif, head coach Doc Rivers said, “ will be ready, it looks like.”
Luc Mbah a Moute, after missing much of the preseason with a right calf strain, is getting some work in today before practice on the far court. pic.twitter.com/zq93SLUO7e
— Andrew Greif (@AndrewGreif) October 14, 2018
Luckily for Mbah a Moute and LA, poor health isn’t a trend we’ve seen over the years. He’s played at least 58 games in all but one of his 10 NBA seasons, and played 73 or more in half of them.
Mbah a Moute previously played under Rivers with the LA Clippers during the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 NBA seasons, where he developed a sort of cult following. “Prince” Luc had a tendency to do the dirty work for Los Angeles, as his contributions were often the ones that didn’t show up in the box score.
That isn’t to say he’s afraid of the stat sheet, though. There was, of course, Mbah a Moute’s five-steal performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. And how could anyone forget the night that he logged a plus-minus rating of +31 against the New Orleans Pelicans the following night?
This season, we can expect much of the same from Mbah a Moute, and perhaps even more. His lone season with the Houston Rockets likely made him a better shooter, given his 36 percent stroke from deep on 2.8 attempts per game. He’s been more efficient in years past, but that rate of attempts is a career-high mark.
Mbah a Moute will likely come off the bench in most games this season, but it would be wise to start him in certain situations alongside Patrick Beverley and Avery Bradley against strong offensive teams like the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors.
Above all, it’s Mbah a Moute’s versatility that will make him a solid option for this year’s LA Clippers squad. With the ability to play both forward positions and defend every other, his following should only grow.