The LA Clippers finally returned to action on Thursday night as they hosted the Sacramento Kings but did not look like themselves.
After Tuesday night’s game was postponed, the LA Clippers finally returned to action as they hosted the Sacramento Kings. While they were physically present on the court (for the most part), their play was lackluster as the Kings blew them out 124-104.
The game started out on a confusing note. Kawhi Leonard who had not been listed on the injury report was a late scratch. I’m talking so late that the broadcast even had him listed in the starting lineup. Apparently, during pregame warmups, he felt tightness in his lower back and went to the locker room to get checked out. He would end up not playing.
The good news was that Paul George and Patrick Beverley were both back. George had missed 10 of the last 11 games with a hamstring injury. With Kawhi out, PG’s return seemed to be perfect timing. His play did not impress. He shot only two of ten from the floor and only scored eight points. He did add in four rebounds and four assists but it’s obvious he was not fully back in the swing of things.
In fact, none of the team really looked right on the offensive end. Montrezl Harrell led the team with 18 points but that was even below his season average. Landry Shamet connected on four three-pointers but those were his only points on the night. Lou Williams also shot poorly, hitting just four of fourteen from the field.
While the Clippers couldn’t connect, the Kings could not miss. They made fifteen three-pointers in the first half followed by another six in the second. The Clippers had no answer for the onslaught and Doc Rivers toyed with the lineups as much as he could, even putting Ivica Zubac and Montrezl Harrell on the court together.
I’m not quite sure what to take away from this loss. Both the offense and defense were atrocious but given the lineups being shaken up last second, Beverley, Shamet, and PG all being on a minutes restriction, and the likely emotion of it being the first game in Staples Center since Kobe Bryant‘s passing, I’m willing to write this game off.
The LA Clippers host the Timberwolves in an early 12:30 PM game on Saturday where the team will look to bounce back. As of now, there is no update on Kawhi Leonard’s status for the game so make sure to follow us on Twitter and to check back here for all news and updates!