In just a few hours, the LA Clippers will begin action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden to kick start a four-game road trip. The Clippers must end the night on a positive note, as they have the opportunity to gain possession of the sixth seed in the Western Conference.
The Clippers pack their bags to New York after losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder by two points, 103-101. With franchise superstar Kawhi Leonard playing at an unstoppable pace, posting 25 points and 10 boards in 40 minutes, fans were calm and collected in the clutch that LA would beat the first seed.
However, the turning point flashed when former MVP James Harden endured a brutal foul to his leg in the third quarter as the Clippers were down by five. He concluded the loss with 17 points, eight assists, and five rebounds, shooting 4-14 from the field with six turnovers.
Premiere scorer Norman Powell was also a non-factor when the Clippers needed him to be aggressive against a shorthanded Thunder rotation. He only scored nine points, shooting 4-12, in 31 minutes, which raises anxiousness about how much momentum Powell will have entering the postseason.
Despite Leonard being the only Clipper who played exceptionally well, LA did a fabulous job defending the lead MVP candidate, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Although he may have recorded 26 points, he attempted 29 shots while making just seven. Gilgeous-Alexander also went 1-7 from three-point territory.
The Clippers did lose at the end of the day, but they should not be discouraged at this point in the year.
The Knicks, who are on pace to win 50+ games this season, greet the Clippers following a double-figure win against the Dallas Mavericks. Three players scored over 20 points, but their best was OG Anunoby, who flourished for 35 points in 38 minutes.
Josh Hart also had a triple-double with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists.
What is James Harden's status ahead of the LA Clippers' battle with the New York Knicks?
Despite James Harden's visible pain against the Oklahoma City Thunder, he is questionable against the New York Knicks due to soreness in his right foot.
Injury report for LA Clippers at New York Knicks March 26th
As expected, Jordan Miller(left hamstring), Seth Lundy(G-League), Cam Christie(G-League), Trentyn Flowers(G-League), and Patrick Baldwin Jr.(G-League) will be absent tonight at Madison Square Garden.
The New York Knicks will be forced to play without Jalen Brunson(right ankle), Ariel Hukporti(surgery recovery), and Miles McBride(left groin). Pacome Dadiet's (G-League) and Kevin McCullar Jr.'s (G-League) status is questionable.