Through the last two games, the LA Clippers have been struggling quite a bit. Head coach Tyronn Lue has been trying his best, but the results have not been in his favor, primarily due to injuries. Additionally, this has caused the Clippers to fall back in the Western Conference.
Furthermore, their schedule will gradually get more demanding, which ultimately challenges the team down the stretch. That said, the LA Clippers have yet to find their way early in the year. Currently, Lue and his squad currently stand at 15-13 with the seventh seed.
Moreover, the Clippers likely had their most robust performance of the year. Although their field goal percentage was relatively low, the team shot 39.6% from three and 93.8% from the line on only ten turnovers. These numbers are ideal for a team with the talent but are pretty rusty with injuries and minutes restrictions.
On the other hand, the Washington Wizards held their own from start to finish. While they were missing their franchise star Bradley Beal, scoring threats like Kristaps Porziņģis and Kyle Kuzma were on fire all game. These two combined for 65 points, 27 rebounds, and eight assists.
The LA Clippers are getting closer to where they want to be, especially with their star talents.
The brightest sign for the LA Clippers was the minutes of two-way superstars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Both stars had phenomenal performances, which pushed the team ahead of Washington. However, this game was led by George as he posted 36 points, seven rebounds, and six assists on 13-27 shooting. Not to mention he added three steals and two blocks in 41 minutes of action.
🔥 36 PTS | 7 REB | 6 AST | 3 STL | 2 BLK @Yg_Trece filled up the statsheet as he led the @LAClippers to road victory! #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/3kDBi31Ylq
— NBA (@NBA) December 11, 2022
Leonard, on the flip-side, also progressed significantly as he played his second consecutive 30-minute game of the season. He finished with 13 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, including several motivating possessions.
Another star who deserves his recognition is the former Washington Wizard, John Wall. Through his return, Wall closed the victory with 13 points, three assists, two steals, and one block. These numbers may not stand out, but Wall’s impact was crucial in the seven-point win for the LA Clippers.
Nonetheless, the next match-up for Lue and his squad will be the toughest of the year. As the Boston Celtics are among the best teams in the NBA, the Clippers must have their seat belts fastened on both ends of the floor. If Lue can dig out a victory, the rest of the team will have the momentum heading into the rest of the season.