After a period of intense scheduling, the LA Clippers are finally getting some due time off. The Clippers played the most games of any team in the association to begin the season, having taken the floor 24 times as of December 4. Now, they are in the middle of a stretch where they will only play one game in eight days.
It is a much-needed break for what is the most over-worked team in the association right now. Obviously LA is still waiting on the return of Kawhi Leonard, but there are other key players that have recently been listed on the injury report lately as well. Getting those guys back and healthy will be crucial to the Clippers remaining in possession of a playoff spot before their best player comes back.
Specifically, the absence of leading scorer Norman Powell and Kevin Porter Jr. has made life more difficult for the Clippers lately. Powell missed six games between November 20 to November 29, a stretch where LA was able to record a 4-2 record in his absence. Porter has been out for the Clippers' last three games, in which the team has gone 2-1 with a loss to the red-hot Minnesota Timberwolves.
Ty Lue says Norman Powell and Kevin Porter Jr. both practiced today and are expected to play tomorrow.
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) December 7, 2024
Powell and Porter will play on Sunday, Leonard will not
Ty Lue provided an injury update on Saturday when he revealed that Kevin Porter and Norman Powell were both participants in Saturday's practice, and that both are expected to play against the Houston Rockets at home on Sunday evening. As for Leonard, it was more of the same. Lue would not state when he expects Kawhi to return, and continues to view him as week-to-week.
With that said, we have seen some promising signs that Leonard could be on his way back to the court somewhere in the near future. Kawhi was seen getting shots up at Intuit Dome this past week, and he also appeared to be taking part in separate shooting drills following the Clippers' practice on Saturday.
The team clearly did not want reporters to see Leonard shooting, as evidenced by a report from Tomer Azarly that media were asked to leave by team personnel, after which Kawhi began his individual drills. This could be an indicator that Leonard is getting closer to a return in the coming weeks.
But regardless of number two's availability, having Powell and Porter back in the lineup will be big for the Clippers. They will need all the shooting power they can get against a rock-solid Rockets team.