The Clippers performed their first recreation on the Intuit Dome, their new dwelling in Inglewood, in a preseason contest Monday night time towards the Dallas Mavericks, and so they did so with out Kawhi Leonard — once more.
The Clippers have one preseason recreation left to play, towards 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 courtroom?
“He won’t play Thursday,” coach Tyronn Lue mentioned.
That’s as a result of Leonard nonetheless is coping with irritation in his proper knee.
With the Clippers taking part in their regular-season opener at dwelling on Oct. 23 towards the Phoenix Suns, Lue was requested what the plan is for Leonard going ahead.
“Continue to keep rehabbing, keep getting better and keep checking the boxes,” he mentioned.
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 towards 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 mentioned he was “not sure” if Leonard would play within the Clippers’ season opener.
Within the meantime, James Harden performed in his fourth preseason recreation for the Clippers. However Harden, the Clippers’ different star alongside Leonard, is not going to play within the last preseason recreation, Lue mentioned.
Harden had a double-double towards the Mavericks with 10 factors and 12 assists. However he was simply three for 12 from the sphere in 23 minutes through the Clippers’ 110-96 victory over Dallas.
“He’s doing all the right things,” Lue mentioned. “He’s been a great leader, on and off the floor, and he’s been in this situation a lot of times in Houston. So, he’s up for the challenge.”
For Norman Powell, the problem for him is to safe a spot within the beginning lineup.
That was his objective 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 position with the Clippers.
Lue described what he desires out of Powell, who had 13 factors on four-for-eight taking pictures towards the Mavericks.
“Getting starters’ minutes,” Lue mentioned. “Be able to score the basketball. When you don’t, just taking the defensive challenge every night. So, being able to guard his position, being able to match up with guys. We talked about two years ago, we saw in the playoffs in Phoenix, like, taking the challenge defensively. He’s gotten a lot better.
“So, just being able to guard guys every night, being able to switch, sometimes guard point guards when we need him too. He’s been phenomenal so far in this training camp.”
