LA Clippers: Terance Mann Playing at a Tenacious Level

After a rough ending to the first half of the 2020-2021 NBA Season, the LA Clippers are riding high off a solid second-half season start. With the Clippers’ 122-112 solid road win over the Philadelphia 76ers, they are now on a five-game win streak and a 7-2 stretch since the NBA All-Star Break.

There are several reasons for the LA Clippers’ hot streak but an attribute that can’t be ignored is the surge of second-year player Terance Mann.

Going into this season, Mann was held under a microscope of whether or not he could provide solidity for the Clippers’ potential championship season. He had some rough performances at the beginning of the season but has continued getting better.

In the last five games, Mann has played at a tremendous level for the Clippers. Mann has played 27.4 minutes per game while averaging 15.4 points per game (fourth on the team) shooting 57.4% of his field goals (second on the team) and 40% from the three-point arc. He has also accounted for 7.2 rebounds per game, which is tied for second during the five-game stretch.

The Clippers’ offense has accelerated during the last five games with Mann having a huge role in the offensive philosophy. As a team, Los Angeles has averaged 119.6 points per game shooting 49.7% on overall field goals and 42.4% from the three-point arc. Mann is one of four players for the Clippers to average 15 points or more behind Kawhi Leonard (23.8), Paul George (18.8), and Marcus Morris Sr. (16.3).

Mann led the bench in three of the four games he was not a starter. His most impactful game on the bench was the game against the Atlanta Hawks on March 22. With the Clippers’ serious bench support, both Mann and Luke Kennard were there to provide a huge comeback in the second half. Mann shot 8-for-14 in overall field goals and 4-for-5 from the three-point arc as he accounted for 21 points. He also accounted for 10 defensive rebounds against the Hawks.

Mann had one start in the last five games in the second match against the San Antonio Spurs when Leonard was out with an injury. While Mann had an off-night shooting (3 for 10), he was highly productive in getting his teammates in great scoring positions and was tenacious in getting boards as he accounted for 12 rebounds.

He had his best game of the season this past Saturday night against the 76ers. Mann scored his season-high of 23 points shooting 10 for 12 overall and 2 for 2 from the three-point arc. Outside of Mann, Leonard (28 points), and George (24 points), no other Clipper had 13 points against the solid defense of the 76ers.

In just one season with Ty Lue as head coach, Mann is progressing well from a young player trying to secure a spot on a roster to a significant role player. Mann is progressing as one of the most team-developed players they have drafted since Blake Griffin (drafted in the 2009 NBA Draft). With so many games left in a short amount of time, Mann will even more room to develop.

Mann is already becoming a fan favorite with a tough mentality before games, his tenacious to attack the basket, the way he plays when he doesn’t have the ball, and how he is becoming an open-minded student to coach Lue and Paul George.