The Clippers performed their first recreation on the Intuit Dome, their new dwelling in Inglewood, in a preseason recreation Monday evening in opposition to the Dallas Mavericks, they usually did it with out Kawhi Leonard — once more.
The Clippers have another preseason recreation to play, in opposition to the Sacramento Kings on Thursday evening, which will likely be performed in proprietor Steve Ballmer’s new $2 billion palace, however will Leonard be on the court docket?
“He gained’t play Thursday,” Lue mentioned.
That is as a result of Leonard remains to be affected by irritation in his proper knee.
Because the Clippers performed their first common season recreation at dwelling on October 23 in opposition to the Phoenix Suns, Lue was requested what the plan was for Leonard transferring ahead.
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“Preserve rehabilitating, hold enhancing and hold checking the containers,” he mentioned.
Leonard missed the Clippers’ ultimate eight common season video games of 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 yr of a three-year contract extension price $152 million, however there stays uncertainty over when Leonard will be capable of play. On Thursday, Lue mentioned he was “unsure” if Leonard would play within the Clippers’ season opener.
In the meantime, James Harden performed his fourth preseason recreation for the Clippers. However Harden, the Clippers’ different star alongside Leonard, will not play within the ultimate preseason recreation, Lue mentioned.
Harden had a double-double in opposition to the Mavericks with 10 factors and 12 assists. However he was simply three of 12 from the sector in 23 minutes within the Clippers’ 110-96 win over Dallas.
“He does all the fitting issues,” Lue mentioned. “He is been an excellent chief, on and off the sector, and he is been in that state of affairs many instances in Houston. So, he is able to tackle the problem.
For Norman Powell, the problem is to safe a spot within the beginning lineup.
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That was his aim firstly of Clippers coaching camp and that hasn’t modified.
Regardless of being among the finest sixth males within the NBA final season, Powell is seeking to play a much bigger function with the Clippers.
Lue outlined what he expects from Powell, who had 13 factors on four-of-eight taking pictures in opposition to the Mavericks.
“Getting the starters’ minutes,” Lue mentioned. “With the ability to rating in basketball. When you do not, simply problem your self defensively each evening. So with the ability to maintain your place, with the ability to tackle guys. We talked about it two years in the past, we noticed it within the playoffs in Phoenix, like rising to the problem defensively. He is doing a lot better.
“So simply with the ability to guard guys each evening, with the ability to swap it up, typically guarding the purpose guards after we want him too. He is been phenomenal to this point in coaching camp.”
This story was initially revealed in Los Angeles Instances.
