The Los Angeles Clippers finished the 2023-24 NBA season as the Western Conference’s fourth seed, though the home-court advantage might not matter considering they drew the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
The Clippers had their fair share of ups and downs during the regular season, but now must face off against a formidable pairing in Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
Doncic has been sort of a boogeyman to Los Angeles as he’s torn them up in the postseason before, and the MVP candidate has been playing arguably the best basketball of his career.
Making things more difficult is the health of Kawhi Leonard as he has been dealing with knee inflammation and was ruled out for Game 1 of the team’s series against the Mavericks.
Leonard missed the final eight games of the regular season and with him now missing a postseason game things seem bleak when it comes to his overall availability.
Paul George and Leonard have rarely been healthy during the postseason and the latter’s absence continues a worrying trend via Underdog NBA.
“The Clippers have had both Kawhi and Paul George available for 11 of their 25 total playoffs games since 2021.”
The Clippers have had both Kawhi and Paul George available for 11 of their 25 total playoffs games since 2021 😳
(via @Underdog__NBA) pic.twitter.com/LndrVoAHEr
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 21, 2024
Los Angeles built their roster with Leonard and George as the centerpieces, but the star wings have dealt with various injuries over the years.
Their inability to stay on the floor has dampened the Clippers’ title hopes and unfortunately it looks like it might cost them another year.
Leonard hasn’t been ruled out for the playoffs, though it’s hard to imagine he comes back healthy and effective any time soon.
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