Earlier in the year, the LA Clippers appeared to have found their groove. The entire roster was starring in their role from top to bottom, resulting in several notable wins. This momentum did not take long to shift as the Clippers are currently in a deep hole. While there is time left to turn things around, injuries are not in the team’s favor.
Furthermore, during the Clippers’ 13-point loss against Minnesota, sharpshooting guard Luke Kennard played 21 minutes before being ruled out due to right calf soreness. This is not the best news, especially with the injuries of superstars Paul George and Kawhi Leonard(knee management).
Luke Kennard is OUT for the remainder of Clippers-Wolves with right calf soreness, per @jaimemaggio.
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) January 7, 2023
Regardless of the loss, a motivating sign was the 25 minutes of action from the two-way wing, Robert Covington. These minutes have been long awaited, and he did not disappoint. Covington ended the night with 12 points, six rebounds, three steals, and a +/- of +7. This shows his value on both ends, backing up why he deserves to have a spot in the rotation.
Solely glancing at the box scores, the LA Clippers do not seem ready to compete for a championship. In addition, they have not been a fun team to watch. There is almost no effort on defense, which ultimately holds the potential of the offense. Halfway into the season, the depth has been extremely underwhelming.
The LA Clippers are playing at their absolute worst.
Moving forward, the LA Clippers’ starting lineup must be altered. The impact these players have to begin the game damages the overall outcome. Hence, each of the five players ended with a +/- of -15 or lower. On the other hand, the bench was very productive, with solid performances across the board.
The play-making point guard, John Wall, had a phenomenal showing as he dropped 14 points, eight assists, two blocks, and one steal. Standing next to him was the potential Sixth Man of the Year candidate, Norman Powell, who posted 21 points and six boards.
This game would have likely taken a turn if the rotations were adjusted. What’s more, is that the Clippers only turned the ball over eight times. This number is surprisingly low compared to their season average of 14.5. The free-throw line is also another area the team struggled as they shot 66.7% through 27 attempts.
Moreover, the LA Clippers’ road trip has ended as they take on the Atlanta Hawks for their next match-up. Another loss would raise serious questions for the front office, coaching staff, and players. The Clippers must create opportunities on defense, keeping the game plan moving smoothly for the offense.