The LA Clippers have concluded the 2021-2022 season on a five-game win streak. It is safe to say, this would not have been possible without the return of Paul George and Norman Powell. With such little time together, these two stars looked like they had been playing alongside each other all season long.
The amount of firepower the Los Angeles Clippers have is going to be very fun to watch. The amount of attention George and Powell attract from defenses, allows guys like Marcus Morris, Nicolas Batum, Luke Kennard, and Robert Covington to receive great looks from the three-point line.
Powell and George also allow Reggie Jackson to score with ease as he does not have as much pressure to be the number one scoring option each night. Let’s dive in and see the true impact Powell and George have had since their return.
Individually, Paul George and Normal Powell stuff the stat sheet for the LA Clippers.
In his first game back, versus the Phoenix Suns, Norman Powell finished with 24 points and 4 rebounds in only 23 minutes for the LA Clippers. Paul George, who was also on a slight minutes restriction, finished the game with 19 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. George also had a team-high +/- of +31.
This shows his impact goes far beyond the stat sheet. Their very next game together was a blowout win versus the Sacramento Kings. George finished the game with a near triple-double dropping 23 points, 12 assists, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 6 three-pointers made. Powell contributed to this win by dropping 20 points shooting 54.5% from the field in only 22 minutes of playing. Although two games is a very small sample size, it is very clear to see that these two stars play extremely well together.
Another very important player to the Los Angeles Clippers, Ivica Zubac, has been playing phenomenally since the return of George. Not only did Zubac close the season out with four straight double-doubles, but since the return of George, Zubac is averaging 12.3 points per game and 9.4 rebounds per game while also playing very well on the defensive side of the ball.
Lastly, the league leader in three-point percentage, Luke Kennard has also been playing on another level since the return of George. In his last 6 games, Luke Kennard is averaging 15.8 points per game shooting 46.3 percent from the three-point line. After diving into the stats as well as the impact, it is very clear that George and Powell have made their impact known.
George has taken a significant leap as a playmaker in the last few seasons of his career. There is not a single way to hold George back from making an impact. As he attracts double-teams, he is surrounded by a high level of three-point shooting as well as finishing. George has proven to be a great playmaker, averaging a career-high 5.7 assists per game this season. With the high level of three-point shooting, defense, and star power the Los Angeles Clippers possess, they are a team that has the potential to make a very deep run in the 2022 NBA playoffs.
With the door still open for a return of Kawhi Leonard, we may see a fully healthy roster in the playoffs. Health is the only obstacle holding the Los Angeles Clippers back from doing significant damage. This roster has been through a very long season of comebacks and blowout wins. The Los Angeles Clippers are coming together at the right time. It is just a matter of time before we see what the Los Angeles Clippers will look like at full health.