Without their stars, Clippers are no match against Warriors

For a franchise that has gone all-in on its NBA title aspirations, this matchup towards the reigning champions might have represented a litmus take a look at.

As an alternative, Wednesday grew to become simply one other night time when the Clippers’ current and future plans hinged on medical assessments.

Their roster battered and incomplete for the higher a part of two seasons, the Clippers continued their short-handed begin in a 124-107 loss to Golden State with out injured All-Star wings Kawhi Leonard and Paul George and sharpshooter Luke Kennard.

Marcus Morris Sr. scored a team-high 19 factors, and Terance Mann and Norman Powell scored 17 apiece because the Clippers fell to 11-8, unable to rein in Andrew Wiggins’ season-high 31 factors and 19 Golden State three-pointers.

“I want we have been full energy towards anyone,” coach Tyronn Lue mentioned. “Simply to get our rhythm and set up how we wish to play. Sadly that hasn’t been the case this yr, nevertheless it’s coming.”

Leonard had expressed little concern after he rolled his proper ankle in Monday’s victory towards Utah, however Lue mentioned Leonard woke with soreness Tuesday and regardless of “feeling higher,” Leonard has no timetable for a return, in line with the coach.

Neither does George, who has not performed since Nov. 19 due to a strained hamstring tendon, or Kennard, sidelined for a fourth consecutive sport due to a strained calf.

“I’m certain they’re actually anxious to get entire and when they’re entire, you take a look at that roster, it’s fairly spectacular,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr mentioned. “They’re one of many groups you’ve bought to assume will probably be round ultimately.”

The Clippers have been on the Warriors’ thoughts for the reason that earliest days of their reign. Throughout a July podcast look, solely weeks after the Warriors clinched their fourth championship in eight seasons, defensive star Draymond Inexperienced referred to as Lue’s group “a menace and an issue.”

But if the full-strength Clippers’ potential has opponents’ respect, reaching it has been not possible almost one-quarter of the best way into the schedule as a result of they haven’t had a significant respite from damage since coaching camp closed.

The Clippers thrived final season whereas lacking chunks of their rotation. That grit hasn’t been solely extinguished. Regardless of permitting Klay Thompson 15 first-quarter factors, scoring solely 18 factors themselves within the second quarter whereas largely avoiding photographs within the paint and trailing by 19 after the Warriors closed the half on an 18-4 run, the Clippers trimmed their deficit to 11 within the third quarter.

When Golden State responded by exploiting miscommunication for a back-cut layup and three-pointer to push their result in 16, the Clippers stored coming, reducing it to 11 once more after which 9 with three minutes to play within the third. Then a pair of three-pointers by Stephen Curry, who scored 22, added once more to the Warriors cushion that was 16 after three quarters.

“I favored the best way we stored combating,” Lue mentioned.

Even with the caveat that the Clippers’ most formidable names have been lacking, Wednesday revealed breakdowns they gained’t have the ability to afford even when Leonard and George are again.

The Clippers emphasised transition protection of their pregame preparation, but surrendered 14 fast-break factors within the first half, highlighted by Thompson beating the protection again for a simple dunk within the first quarter. There have been different game-plan errors too, as judged by the frequent sight of 1 participant questioning one other the place he had been on a damaged play.

When Curry checked again in with seven minutes to play within the fourth quarter, the Warriors led by 21. Solely 50 seconds later, that lead was 26.

Mann began in Leonard’s place and Amir Coffey for George, simply as Lue turned to Coffey final season throughout George’s absence for months following his elbow damage. Coffey scored 13 factors in 36 minutes with seven assists.

And with the Clippers out of the blue mild on versatile wings, Robert Covington performed greater than 20 minutes for under the third time in 11 appearances, after his rotation spot had been misplaced in latest weeks whereas Lue expanded Mann’s function. Covington made considered one of seven photographs, and in addition took a Jordan Poole elbow to his jaw. Covington mentioned he understood when Lue advised him this month that the group needed to attempt a special path.

“He simply advised me, stick with him,” Covington mentioned.

Even with solely 10 wholesome gamers, Lue nonetheless made selections along with his minutes. One sport after committing eight turnovers and never enjoying within the fourth quarter, guard John Wall sat the ultimate 10 minutes. The Clippers have been outscored by 25 in his 21 minutes.

“We simply bought to take into consideration that he hasn’t performed in two years and pretty much as good as he’s been for us all yr, it’s solely his thirteenth or 14th sport in two years,” Lue mentioned.

“It’s going to take a while for that. We understood that and he’s truly enjoying manner higher than I anticipated him to this early within the season.”