Clippers Struggle Continue Despite Leonard’s Return
The Los Angeles Clippers find themselves in a familiar predicament, grappling with a significant losing streak after suffering defeats to the undermanned Memphis Grizzlies and the Dallas Mavericks over the weekend. Even with the highly anticipated return of Kawhi Leonard, the team has struggled to find its footing, currently languishing at 5-15 for the season.
Injury Report Sparks Hope for Change
As the Clippers prepare for Monday’s matchup against the Miami Heat, the injury report offers a glimmer of hope. Law Murray from The Athletic has confirmed that Jordan Miller is set to return to the lineup. Miller’s comeback is particularly encouraging, especially as the team continues to cope without Bogdan Bogdanovic, who remains sidelined with a hip injury.
Miller has been out since November 16 due to a hamstring injury, but his return could provide a much-needed boost. In his brief appearances this season, he demonstrated his potential as a reliable role player. The 25-year-old wing is known for his ability to contribute on both ends of the floor, playing tenacious defense and making smart decisions with the ball. His offensive game has shown promise as well, with his shooting improving—a critical factor for a Clippers squad that has struggled with spacing and creating offensive opportunities.
Injecting Youth into the Lineup
Head coach Ty Lue has been actively seeking to infuse the team with youthful energy and agility. In Miller’s absence, he has leaned on players like Kobe Sanders and Kobe Brown to inject that dynamic flair into the lineup. Miller’s return will give Lue another versatile option who can defend effectively and complement the team’s offensive schemes. Should he maintain his shooting form, Miller could play a pivotal role in helping the Clippers regain their competitive edge.
Unfortunately, the injury woes do not end with Bogdanovic. Derrick Jones Jr. is currently dealing with an MCL sprain, and Bradley Beal has already been ruled out for the remainder of the season. The loss of these players has undoubtedly hindered the Clippers’ ability to find consistency and chemistry on the court.
Kawhi Leonard’s Continued Health a Positive Sign
Perhaps the most crucial aspect of the current injury report is that Kawhi Leonard remains healthy. After successfully playing in back-to-back games for the first time this season, there were concerns about the 34-year-old star potentially landing on the injury report. However, his ability to navigate these games without any setbacks suggests he is edging closer to his typical workload.
Leonard has been on a minutes restriction since his return, and he has not exceeded 29 minutes in any game. Despite the Clippers’ overall struggles, they have managed to win three of the four games during his minutes. The team desperately needs him to log as many minutes as possible to help turn their season around.
As the Clippers move forward, the hope is that with the return of Miller and Leonard’s ongoing health, they can begin to forge a path out of this early-season slump.
