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Kawhi Leonard Kawhi Leonard (knee) underwent 'clean-up' surgery
Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 12:28 AM
Justin Russo on Twitter
Kawhi Leonard underwent what Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank described as a "clean-up procedure" on his right knee in early June.
Analysis: Well, this is a rather significant piece of news, even if Frank described it as a "clean-up procedure." Leonard was diagnosed with a torn meniscus in the knee in late April after missing the final three games of the Clippers' first-round series against the Suns. That injury was initially described as a sprain by the Clippers' medical staff, so it's fair to be somewhat skeptical of the information provided by Frank on Thursday. The expectation is that Leonard will be back on the floor eight weeks after the procedure, which would be in early August. While he's been an elite fantasy option when healthy, the availability issue has been frustrating for managers to deal with. |
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Paul George Fischer: Clippers unlikely to trade Paul George
Thu, Jun 22, 2023, 4:08 PM
Yahoo Sports
According to Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer, the Clippers are unlikely to trade Paul George this offseason.
Analysis: George's name has come up in trade rumors recently, but it is reportedly unlikely that the Clippers will act. According to Fischer, Portland approached the Clippers about George and was interested in putting together a package that included the third overall pick in Thursday's draft. The focus in Los Angeles appears to be working on strengthening the roster around George and Kawhi Leonard in hopes that they can be a title contender. Of course, those two have to stay healthy in order for that to happen. |
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Paul George Report: Knicks showing interest in Paul George
Thu, Jun 22, 2023, 10:26 AM
Ian Begley on Twitter
The Knicks have shown interest in trading for Paul George, according to SNY's Ian Begley.
Analysis: Marc Stein had reported that the Clippers had been gauging interest in PG, and the Knicks could make an all-in move to bring in the former All-Star. George has had plenty of injury issues over the past few years, but he's talented enough to make the Knicks a contender. We'll have to see if the Knicks are willing to pay the price. |
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Paul George Paul George (knee) nearing return to workouts
Mon, May 22, 2023, 1:04 PM
Law Murray on Twitter
Paul George (sprained right knee) said on his podcast that he plans to resume workouts sometime next week.
Analysis: George injured his knee in late March, with the malady sidelining him for the Clippers' first-round series against the Suns. There was some hope that he'd be available in the second round, but the Clippers failed to advance. Injuries have been a major part of the story during the Kawhi Leonard/Paul George era with the Clippers, and the hope is that the latter will be able to have a full offseason to work out without any issues. |
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Kawhi Leonard Report: Clippers remain committed to Kawhi, PG
Wed, Apr 26, 2023, 3:08 PM
Mark Medina on Twitter
The Clippers remain committed to Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, despite their injury history, per Mark Media of Sportsnaut.
Analysis: Since signing ahead of the 2019-20 season, Kawhi has played in 161 regular season games, while George has played in 189. They'll likely go down as one of the biggest "what if" stories, since we saw how good they were when the team was healthy. They split the games in Phoenix without George this season. If they've built up enough injury karma against them to finally stay healthy next season, they'll be among the favorites to win the title. |
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Kawhi Leonard Shams: Kawhi Leonard diagnosed with torn meniscus
Wed, Apr 26, 2023, 9:47 AM
Shams Charania on Twitter
Kawhi Leonard has been diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his right knee, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Analysis: There was an expectation there was something more serious with Kawhi which would keep him from playing in the playoffs and now the news is out. Leonard was off to a blistering start to the series, averaging 34.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.0 steals before being shut down by the medical staff. Kawhi will go into yet another offseason injured, and one has to wonder how much longer the Clippers can keep trying with a duo of Kawhi and Paul George who seem to have some of the worst injury luck over the past few seasons. |
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Russell Westbrook Russell Westbrook can't get it done in Game 5
Tue, Apr 25, 2023, 11:58 PM
Russell Westbrook finished Tuesdayâs loss to the Suns with 14 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, a triple and five turnovers.
Analysis: In the make-or-break Game 5, Westy shot just 3-of-18 from the floor, including 1-of-6 from beyond the arc. He scored at least 30 points in each of the Clippersâ last two games, but as heâs prone to do, Westbrook had an off night in the shooting department and turned in a dud on offense. Westbrook finished the regular season on a high note with his new team, and he delivered some big performances in the first-round series, stepping up with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George out of commission. Westbrook is a free agent this summer, so thereâs no telling where heâll play in 2023-24. No matter the destination, Westy will remain a much more viable option in points leagues than in categories leagues, where his value will depend on which categories his fantasy manager is punting. |
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Kawhi Leonard Kawhi Leonard, Paul George ruled out for Tuesday
Mon, Apr 24, 2023, 7:02 PM
Law Murray on Twitter
Kawhi Leonard (sprained right knee) and Paul George (sprained right knee) have been ruled out for Tuesday's Game 5 against the Suns.
Analysis: The Clippers will look to extend their season without Leonard and George, with the former missing a third consecutive game due to injury. George, who has been sidelined for a longer period, was not expected to play in the first round, so his status is no surprise. Norman Powell and Russell Westbrook will again be asked to lead the way offensively. |
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Kawhi Leonard Kawhi Leonard (knee) misses practice Monday
Mon, Apr 24, 2023, 1:37 PM
Law Murray on Twitter
Kawhi Leonard (right knee sprain) did not participate in practice Monday according to Law Murray of The Athletic.
Analysis: Leonard missing practice Monday doesn't bode well for his game status for Game 5. Already without the services of Paul George, it has taken a herculean effort by Russell Westbrook to keep the team competitive in the series. It remains unclear at this point if Kawhi will return in the series. |
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Terance Mann Terance Mann contributes 13/2/4/1/1 line off bench
Sat, Apr 22, 2023, 5:43 PM
Terance Mann contributed solid value off the bench with 13 points (5-for-9 FGs), two rebounds, four assists, one steal, one block and three 3-pointers against the Suns on Saturday.
Analysis: The Clippers struggled to supply Russell Westbrook with any help in this game, but Mann was one of the players that was able to. He posted a full line off the bench and was the third leading scorer in this game behind Russ and Norman Powell, though Powell had an atrocious shooting night. Mann has been a jack of all trades for the Clippers, and he filled more of a scoring role in this game. They'll need him to continue to play well in Game 5 if they hope to extend the series. |
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Norman Powell Norman Powell struggles in second straight start
Sat, Apr 22, 2023, 5:39 PM
Norman Powell struggled on Saturday and finished with just 14 points (4-for-15 FGs), four rebounds, one assist, one steal and two 3-pointers against Phoenix.
Analysis: Powell filled in for Kawhi Leonard in Game 3 and ended up leading the Clippers with 42 points. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to replicate that production in Game 4, as LA dropped a third straight game. With no timeline for Leonard's return, they may have to continue to lean on Powell for offensive production alongside Russell Westbrook. He'll see plenty of shots in Game 5. He'll need to make more of them, or the Clippers will be heading to Cancun next week. |
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Russell Westbrook Russell Westbrook drops 37, Clippers drop Game 4
Sat, Apr 22, 2023, 5:30 PM
Russell Westbrook lit up the Suns with 37 points (17-for-29 FGs), six rebounds, four assists, one steal, one block and three 3-pointers in a 112-100 loss in Game 4 on Saturday.
Analysis: Russ has been spectacular this series. He really struggled from the floor in Game 1, but he made a huge impact to help them steal a win on the road. In the three games since, he has averaged 31.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.3 blocks and 2.7 triples on 54.4/50/92.9 shooting splits. After a rough stretch with the Lakers, Russ has found a home with the Clippers, and he's playing like the guy that won MVP years ago. Unfortunately, injuries to Paul George and Kawhi Leonard have them just one game from elimination. |
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Marcus Morris LAC starting Russ, Gordon, Powell, Morris, Zubac
Sat, Apr 22, 2023, 1:57 PM
Law Murray on Twitter
Russell Westbrook, Eric Gordon, Norman Powell, Marcus Morris, and Ivica Zubac will start Saturday's Game 4 against the Suns.
Analysis: Hoping to avoid falling into a 3-1 hole, the Clippers have changed their starting lineup. Morris, who started all 65 regular season games he appeared in, made his first appearance of the series in a reserve role Thursday night. He's back in the starting lineup, with Nicolas Batum moving to the bench. And with Kawhi Leonard (knee) still sidelined, Norman Powell remains in the starting five and will be an offensive focal point for the Clippers. |
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Kawhi Leonard Kawhi Leonard (knee) out again Saturday vs. Suns
Fri, Apr 21, 2023, 7:24 PM
Ohm Youngmisuk on Twitter
Kawhi Leonard (right knee sprain) is out for Saturday's Game 4 against the Suns.
Analysis: Make it two games in a row for Leonard, whose team is down 0-3 to Phoenix. The Cippers kept it close in Game 3 on Thursday behind Norm Powell's career-best 42 points and a near triple-double from Russell Westbrook. No team has ever come back from an 0-3 playoff deficit, and without Leonard, we're not guessing that trend is broken in this series. |
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Russell Westbrook Russell Westbrook posts 30/8/11/3/1 line in Game 3
Fri, Apr 21, 2023, 12:49 AM
Russell Westbrook finished Thursday's 129-124 loss to the Suns with 30 points (11-of-23 FGs, 5-of-6 FTs), eight rebounds, 11 assists, three steals, one block, and three 3-pointers in 40 minutes.
Analysis: Already without Paul George, the Clippers were also without Kawhi Leonard for Game 3 due to a sprained knee. This opened the door for Westbrook to turn back the clock, and he had a big night. The lone issue was the turnovers (six), but that comes with the territory when Russ has a high-usage night. He shot the ball well while also racking up 11 assists. Should Leonard also have to sit out Saturday's Game 4, Westbrook would be in for another high-usage game, and that would boost his DFS value. |
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Norman Powell Norman Powell puts up playoff career-high 42 PTS
Fri, Apr 21, 2023, 12:32 AM
Norman Powell had the best night of his postseason career in Thursday's 129-124 Game 3 loss to the Suns, tallying 42 points (15-of-23 FGs, 5-of-7 FTs), five rebounds, three assists, one block, and seven 3-pointers in 40 minutes.
Analysis: With Kawhi Leonard (knee) ruled out, Powell, who finished fourth in the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award voting, moved into the starting lineup for Game 3. And he was nothing short of spectacular, notching new playoff career-highs in points and 3-pointers while shooting better than 50% from the field. Powell's promotion into the starting lineup also boosted the value of Bones Hyland, who played 21 minutes off the bench and finished with 20 points (6-of-12 FGs, 6-of-8 FTs), one rebound, two assists, one steal, and two 3-pointers. With Game 4 scheduled for Saturday afternoon, it's unclear if Leonard will be healthy enough to play. If not, that would boost the DFS values of Powell and Hyland. |
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Norman Powell LAC to start Russ, Gordon, Powell, Batum, Zubac
Thu, Apr 20, 2023, 9:09 PM
Law Murray on Twitter
Russell Westbrook, Eric Gordon, Norman Powell, Nicolas Batum, and Ivica Zubac will start Thursday's game against the Suns.
Analysis: Kawhi Leonard (knee) will not be available for Thursday's game; hence Powell moving into the starting lineup. That's the lone change for the Clippers, who will look to take a 2-1 series lead at home. Look for Terance Mann and Bones Hyland to be more important coming off the bench. |
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Kawhi Leonard Kawhi oh why: Leonard (knee) ruled out for Game 3
Thu, Apr 20, 2023, 3:04 PM
Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter
Kawhi Leonard has been ruled out of Thursday's Game 3 matchup with the Suns due to a right knee sprain, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Analysis: Woj reports that Leonard picked up the injury in Game 1 of the series, played through it in Game 2 and is now day-to-day ahead of Game 4 on Saturday. The Clippers are already down Paul George, so losing Leonard is a massive blow. Russell Westbrook should see a tremendous boost in usage, while guys like Norman Powell and Terance Mann should see plenty of extra minutes. |
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Kawhi Leonard Kawhi Leonard drops 31/8/7/3 on Suns in loss
Tue, Apr 18, 2023, 11:55 PM
Kawhi Leonard supplied 31 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, three steals and three triples Tuesday in a 123-109 loss to the Suns.
Analysis: Leonard led his team in scoring and finished with at least 30 points, five rebounds and five dimes for the second time in as many games in the first-round series. With Paul George on the shelf for the rest of this series, Leonard should continue to see monster usage and production, with Russell Westbrook operating as the teamâs No. 2 option. Leonardâs stats were nearly identical at home compared to those on the road, so we should expect more of the same on Thursday when the Clippers head home for Game 3. |
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Russell Westbrook Russell Westbrook goes off for 28/5/5/2 in loss
Tue, Apr 18, 2023, 11:51 PM
Russell Westbrook managed 28 points (9-of-16 FG), five rebounds, five assists, two blocks and a pair of three-pointers in Tuesdayâs loss to Phoenix.
Analysis: Westy scored just nine points on 3-of-19 shooting in the Game 1 victory, but he was ultra efficient in this one and even knocked down 2-of-3 attempts from beyond the arc. In addition to the improvement in the scoring department, he provided useful counting stats and quality defensive numbers just as he did in Game 1. With Paul George out, Westbrook should continue to see big minutes and heavy usage. Thereâs no telling how well heâll shoot or score, but thereâs no doubt heâll rack up numbers across the board thanks to his relentless energy. |
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