Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard was forced to leave Tuesday night's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to back spasms. The setback is a significant blow to the Clippers, who are currently battling for the top seed in the Western Conference.
Leonard played the entire first quarter and part of the second before leaving the arena at halftime. The Clippers held a comfortable lead at the time, but without their two-way superstar on the court, they were unable to sustain their momentum and ultimately fell to the Timberwolves 118-100.
It was no secret this was probably the biggest game of the season for us so far
Mike Conley, Point guard of Minnesota Timberwolves.
Leonard's absence was a major factor in the Clippers' second-half collapse. He is a defensive anchor and a clutch scorer, and his presence on the court was sorely missed. The Timberwolves were able to exploit the Clippers' defensive lapses in Leonard's absence, and they repeatedly attacked the basket with success.
Offensively, the Clippers struggled to generate clean looks without Leonard's playmaking ability and scoring prowess. While Paul George and James Harden did their best to pick up the slack, they were unable to match Leonard's overall impact on the game.
Timberwolves Capitalize on Leonard's Absence
Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves' comeback with a game-high 37 points. Minnesota took full advantage of Leonard's departure, outscoring the Clippers by a significant margin in the second half.
Clippers coach Ty Lue confirmed that Leonard had been dealing with back spasms for a few days but tried to play through the pain. His availability for the team's upcoming road trip against the Chicago Bulls and New Orleans Pelicans remains uncertain.
Leonard's Injury History a Concern for Clippers
Due to an ACL tear, Leonard had to take the entire 2021-22 season off for recovery. The Clippers have also struggled in his absence this season, going 3-9 in the 12 games he sat out.
Despite losing Leonard, Paul George stepped up with 22 points and strong defensive play. James Harden added 12 points and 7 assists, but the Clippers unraveled in the second half, committing a costly 18 turnovers. Minnesota capitalized on these mistakes, using a decisive 20-2 run to take control of the game.
Clippers Face Challenges on Road Trip
The Clippers' loss to the Timberwolves exposed their vulnerability without Leonard. They'll need to find a way to overcome his absence on their upcoming road trip, especially considering James Harden has also been battling a nagging left shoulder injury that has impacted his shooting. Harden shot just 4-of-10 from the field for 12 points against the Timberwolves.
Earlier in the season, Paul George missed two games due to a left hamstring strain. These injuries have tested the Clippers' depth and could threaten their playoff aspirations. Both Chicago and New Orleans present significant challenges.
The Bulls boast a well-rounded attack led by DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, while the Pelicans feature the scoring explosiveness of Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum.
With Leonard sidelined and other key players battling injuries, the Clippers will need to rely on their role players to step up. Veterans like Nicolas Batum and Reggie Jackson will need to provide consistent scoring and playmaking.
Despite the challenges, the Clippers are a battle-tested team with a championship pedigree. Coach Ty Lue is known for his ability to get the most out of his players, and he will need to use all his coaching acumen to navigate this difficult stretch. If the Clippers can weather this storm and stay afloat in the Western Conference standings, it will be a testament to their resilience and depth.