The Clippers performed their first sport on the Intuit Dome, their new residence in Inglewood, in a preseason contest Monday night time in opposition to the Dallas Mavericks, and so they did so with out Kawhi Leonard — once more.
The Clippers have one preseason sport left to play, in opposition to the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night time that will probably be in proprietor Steve Ballmer’s new $2-billion palace, however will Leonard be on the court docket?
“He gained’t play Thursday,” Lue stated.
That’s as a result of Leonard nonetheless is coping with irritation in his proper knee.
With the Clippers enjoying their regular-season opener at residence on Oct. 23 in opposition to the Phoenix Suns, Lue was requested what the plan is for Leonard going ahead.
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“Proceed to maintain rehabbing, preserve getting higher and preserve checking the containers,” he stated.
Leonard missed the Clippers’ last eight regular-season video games from the 2023-24 marketing campaign due to his knee. He performed in simply two of the Clippers’ six first-round playoff video games in opposition to the Mavericks.
He’s within the first 12 months of a three-year, $152-million contract extension, however there stays uncertainty about when Leonard will be capable of play. On Thursday, Lue stated he was “unsure” if Leonard would play within the Clippers’ season opener.
Within the meantime, James Harden performed in his fourth preseason sport for the Clippers. However Harden, the Clippers’ different star alongside Leonard, is not going to play within the last preseason sport, Lue stated.
Harden had a double-double in opposition to the Mavericks with 10 factors and 12 assists. However he was simply three for 12 from the sector in 23 minutes in the course of the Clippers’ 110-96 victory over Dallas.
“He’s doing all the correct issues,” Lue stated. “He’s been an incredible chief, on and off the ground, and he’s been on this state of affairs numerous instances in Houston. So, he’s up for the problem.”
For Norman Powell, the problem for him is to safe a spot within the beginning lineup.
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That was his purpose firstly of Clippers coaching camp and that hasn’t modified.
Although he was one of many prime sixth males within the NBA final season, Powell is looking for a much bigger function with the Clippers.
Lue described what he desires out of Powell, who had 13 factors on four-for-eight capturing in opposition to the Mavericks.
“Getting starters’ minutes,” Lue stated. “Have the ability to rating the basketball. While you don’t, simply taking the defensive problem each night time. So, with the ability to guard his place, with the ability to match up with guys. We talked about two years in the past, we noticed within the playoffs in Phoenix, like, taking the problem defensively. He’s gotten loads higher.
“So, simply with the ability to guard guys each night time, with the ability to change, typically guard level guards once we want him too. He’s been phenomenal to date on this coaching camp.”
This story initially appeared in Los Angeles Times.
