Despite a strong lead against the Milwaukee Bucks, the LA Clippers let the game slip and added their 24th regular-season loss. This was not how the Clippers are used to handling the clutch, especially with superstar Kawhi Leonard on the court.
Before the Clippers entered crunch time minutes, they were playing well. Leonard was a bit inefficient, but he scored on tough shots, while his co-star James Harden drained numerous floaters and effortlessly found the free-throw line.
However, head coach Tyronn Lue’s end-of-game strategy was to either run a pick-and-roll with Harden and starting center Ivica Zubac or allow Leonard to isolate his defender and score in the paint.
As the Clippers lost by six, the Bucks knew who to defend closely. Additionally, Lue did not have Norman Powell, his clutch scorer, which tremendously favored Milwaukee’s odds to win.
Nonetheless, Leonard posted 25 points, four rebounds, and four assists, shooting 9-22 from the floor in 32 minutes. On the other hand, Harden ended the loss with 24 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and five turnovers, shooting 8-21 and 2-8 from three.
The Clippers’ most effective player was Zubac, who grilled the Bucks with 20 points, 15 rebounds, and four blocks on only five missed shots.
Conversely, the Clippers’ opponent for today’s game, the Indiana Pacers, won by double-digits against the Memphis Grizzlies in their last contest. Indiana held Memphis guard Ja Morant to 12 points and five turnovers and had seven players score 10 or more points.
Indiana’s best was Myles Turner, who swatted seven shot attempts to back up his 17 points and 10 rebounds. A near-triple double with blocks is unheard of, which is why the Clippers must plan ahead on avoiding Turner at the rim.
Is Kawhi Leonard playing on the road against, on the first night of a back-to-back, against the Indiana Pacers?
Kawhi Leonard has been listed as questionable by the LA Clippers, but it is not knee-related. Leonard is experiencing left foot soreness, which may have occurred on a foul by the Bucks.
Kawhi needed a very long walk after scoring through a Gary Trent Jr. foul
— Law Murray 🔄 (@LawMurrayTheNU) February 21, 2025
Full injury report for LA Clippers at Indiana Pacers
Cam Christie, Trentyn Flowers, Kai Jones, and Jordan Miller will not be active as they suit up for the San Diego Clippers. Norman Powell is questionable with left knee soreness.
The Pacers will not have James Johnson(illness) and Isaiah Jackson(right achilles tendon tear). RayJ Dennis(G-League), Enrique Freeman(G-League), and Quenton Jackson(G-League) are questionable.