Of all the positives this season, the scoring jump of LA Clippers’ star Norman Powell remains at the top. He has engineered unique ways to score the ball, get to the line, and essentially dominate when the game is on the line.
Moreover, Powell has made it clear how much he has worked with the former MVP James Harden, as they have perfected their timing through pin-downs and dribble-hand-offs. These plays alone have allowed Powell to score off wide-open looks.
In fact, head coach Tyronn Lue runs straight to these plays in close-game scenarios. The coaching staff understands how quickly Powell can score the ball, and they use it to their advantage in winning games.
Furthermore, Powell is eighth in the NBA in total clutch points with 52. This number ranks behind the league’s top scorers, adding to how much of a leap the former UCLA Bruin has made this season.
Simultaneously, Powell tends to struggle when he is forced to become the primary ball handler. He falls into the habit of attempting a poor shot selection and turning the ball over when the Clippers need a bucket. With the trade deadline just a few weeks away, the front office must look and see how they can solve this issue.
LA Clippers star Norman Powell needs a primary ball handler to score the ball effectively.
Although the LA Clippers have the most efficient scorer in basketball with Norman Powell, he feeds tremendously from the all-world playmaking of James Harden. Nearly every time they share the court, Harden handles the ball carefully, allowing Powell to operate freely toward wide-open spaces.
Through the 2024-25 regular season, Harden has only missed two games. In the first, LA faced the Rockets in Intuit Dome and lost 117-106. Though Powell posted 17 points, he shot 5-18 from the field and 1-8 from a distance.
Harden’s next missed contest took place in early January on the road against Oklahoma City. Powell not only underperformed, but he stamped the worst stat line of his marvelous season. The 2019 champion recorded six points on 1-11 shooting, including six turnovers and zero made three-pointers.
There have also been numerous times this season when Harden has been resting on the sidelines, and the Clippers are unable to buy a bucket with the ball in Powell’s hands.
That said, Powell is a talented scorer, but he is best as the team’s secondary ball handler. The Clippers must use the deadline to their benefit and insert another point guard before these miscues pile up in the playoffs.