Patrick Beverley: Clippers Joke About Ty Lue Adjustments; Call HC Bill Belichick
Jun 23, 2021
Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley during an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Sunday, May 16, 2021, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue has had an interesting postseason run, but his strategy has helped guide his team to the Western Conference Finals.
Speaking to reporters after Tuesday's 104-103 loss to the Phoenix Suns, Patrick Beverley said Clippers players will often make jokes and refer to Lue as legendary NFL head coach Bill Belichick for his constant lineup tinkering.
Belichick has been notorious throughout his career with the New England Patriots for using whatever means necessary to exploit the weakness of an opponent. The results speak for themselves, as he has won six Super Bowls.
The Clippers are in a 2-0 hole for the third consecutive series this postseason. That has turned out to be a dangerous position for their opposition, as the Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz discovered.
Lue's most significant adjustment through the first two rounds was going with a smaller lineup.
The 6'8" Nicolas Batum, who played 50 minutes in the first two games against Dallas, averaged 34 minutes over the next 11 contests. Ivica Zubac, 7'0", averaged 20.6 minutes in Games 1 and 2 against the Mavericks, but his playing time dropped to 12.3 minutes per contest in 11 games after that.
Whatever adjustments Lue has left will be desperately needed since Kawhi Leonard has missed the first two games with a knee injury.
Los Angeles continues to be coy about the star's status.
The Western Conference Finals will shift to Staples Center for Game 3. The Clippers will look to get back in the series Thursday at 9 p.m. ET.
Kawhi Leonard Ruled Out for Clippers vs. Suns Game 2 with Knee Injury
Jun 21, 2021
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 14: Assistant Coach Chauncey Billups of the LA Clippers talks with Kawhi Leonard #2 during Round 2, Game 4 of 2021 NBA Playoffs on June 14, 2021 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
Leonard, 29, has already missed the final two games of the Western Conference semifinal matchup against the Utah Jazz and the first game of the Suns series as well. The Clippers are 2-1 without him in those games, which includes a 120-114 loss to the Suns in Game 1 on Sunday.
He led the team in scoring (24.8 PPG) during the regular season, adding 6.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 51.2 percent from the field and 39.8 percent from three.
Paired with Paul George, he was expected to have the Clippers in the running for a title this season after 2019-20's disappointing exit in the Western Conference semifinals. So it was a pretty big surprise to see the Clippers close out the Jazz without him.
"This was the biggest game of our season," George told reporters after the Game 5 win. "Especially being down our best player. We knew coming into this, we had to play together. We had to step up."
"We've been playing men down all season," Reggie Jackson added. "We feel like it prepared us for this moment and we don't want our journey to end here. We want to give [Leonard] a chance to rest and figure out what's going on and hopefully he'll be back with us."
Winning a title without him, however, will prove a daunting task. Look for players like Terance Mann and Luke Kennard to take on a bigger role while Leonard is unavailable.
Devin Booker's 40-Point Triple-Double Leads Suns Past Paul George, Clippers in Game 1
Jun 20, 2021
PHOENIX, AZ - JUNE 20: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket during the game against the Phoenix Suns during Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals of the 2021 NBA Playoffs on June 20, 2021 at Phoenix Suns Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
Devin Booker put on a show Sunday, and the Phoenix Suns are now three games away from the NBA Finals.
Despite being without Chris Paul, the Suns beat the Los Angeles Clippers 120-114 in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
Both teams were short-handed, as L.A. was also missing Kawhi Leonard. But the quality of play didn't suffer in a back-and-forth showdown in front of a frenzied Phoenix crowd.
The status of both Paul and Leonard is up in the air. Paul needs to clear the COVID-19 protocols before he's eligible to return, while Leonard didn't make the trip to Phoenix with the team but hasn't yet been ruled out for Game 2.
Even without their floor general, the Suns handled their business Sunday in yet another classic game in what has already been a wild postseason.
Booker was electric in the third quarter, scoring 18 points as he and George went tit for tat (George had 15 in the quarter). As the home crowd roared, Booker continued to carve up the Clippers' pick-and-roll drop coverage.
Devin Booker is having a complete performance. In total control, getting to his spots to score or draw the defense and make plays for others. All in his first NBA playoff appearance. This is only the beginning for Book and the Suns.
The worst thing that ever happened to Devin Booker's career was that 70-point game that was a complete joke with his teammates fouling to get him the ball back in a blowout loss. Took him until the bubble to shed the "empty calories" rep. Awesome to see him doing this in WCF.
I’ve seen breakaway layups look harder than Booker is making these shots look
— Marcus Thompson II (@ThompsonScribe) June 20, 2021
Devin Booker’s control of the ball - how he handles it when he dribbled and shoots - makes me think the ball feels like a beach ball to him and the hoops looks like the ocean.
He's waited six years to reach the postseason and sure is making the most of his opportunity. There can be no doubt now—Booker is a superstar.
You Down With Playoff P?
Nobody is dragging PG-13 these days.
George was roundly roasted for his struggles in the bubble playoffs last season, as the Clippers bowed out in the Western Conference Semifinals. But in the past three games without Leonard available, he's been the absolute man.
Paul George is the 4th player over the last 10 seasons to score 20 points in each of his team's first 14 games of a postseason, joining Kevin Durant, James Harden and LeBron James. pic.twitter.com/SNUSz7MX7k
Here's a reminder of how he closed out the Utah Jazz:
Game 5 vs. Utah: 37 points, 16 boards in a win.
Game 6 vs. Utah: 28 points, nine rebounds, seven assists in a win.
George may not have gotten the win Sunday, but he gave the Clippers everything he had. He's been fantastic this postseason.
What's Next?
Game 2 is in Phoenix on Tuesday night at 9 p.m. ET (ESPN).
Report: Clippers' Kawhi Leonard out for Games 1 and 2 vs. Suns with Knee Injury
Jun 19, 2021
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, left, shoots as Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale defends during the second half of Game 3 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series Saturday, June 12, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Per Chris B. Haynes of Yahoo Sports, Leonard didn't travel with the team to Phoenix in order to continue rehabbing his injured knee.
Leonard played the first four games of his team's Western Conference second-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz. He averaged 32.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in Games 3 and 4, which ended with Clipper wins to tie the series at two games apiece.
However, the 29-year-old suffered a right knee sprain and was ruled out indefinitely on June 16, per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
Charania later updated that report to clarify Leonard suffered an unspecified ACL injury. ESPN's Ramona Shelburne also provided updates on the same day, both on Twitter and during The Jump:
More imaging needs to be done to determine the severity of the injury, but that will have to take place after swelling subsides, sources told ESPN. https://t.co/ASMQDe3PC5
"The fear is that this involves the ACL ... they're calling it a sprain for right now, but they need to do some more imaging to determine [severity] ... The Clippers are prepared to be without him for tonight, and most likely the rest of the series." pic.twitter.com/ZtkI3B4sHs
Later that day, the Clippers upset the Utah Jazz 119-111 in Game 5 of their Western Conference second-round playoff series to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven matchup.
After the game, L.A. head coach Ty Lue provided an update on Leonard:
Ty Lue says he is staying optimistic because additional testing on Kawhi will come back within around 48 hours. He said Kawhi is a “little down” for obvious reasons.
The Clippers managed to win their last two games against the Utah Jazz without Leonard. They erased a 25-point deficit in Game 6 to earn a 131-119 win, earning the franchise's first appearance in the Western Conference Finals.
Leonard averaged 24.8 points on 51.2 percent shooting, 6.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game for the Clippers this season.
The five-time All-Star, two-time NBA champion and five-time All-NBA player is in his 10th NBA campaign.
Terance Mann, who scored 39 points in Game 6 against the Jazz, will likely start in Leonard's spot against the Suns.
Los Angeles and Phoenix will play Game 1 at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Ty Lue Says Lakers Fans Should Be Cheering for Clippers: 'It's All One City'
Jun 19, 2021
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 12: Head coach Tyronn Lue motions to his team during the second half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on June 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Clippers head coach Ty Lue called for Los Angeles Lakers fans to support the team after they advanced to the Western Conference Finals on Friday.
According to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk, Lue said: "Team has been starving for success, fanbase doing the same thing. I know the Lakers are out and there's a lot of Lakers fans here, but once the Lakers are gone, if we are not playing the Lakers, you should be cheering for the Clippers. It's all one city."
Although the Lakers and Clippers have both been playing in L.A. since 1984, it can be argued that it didn't become a true rivalry until last season.
The Lakers added Anthony Davis to a team that already included LeBron James, while the Clippers signed both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in free agency, making them the teams to beat in the Western Conference.
While the Clips experienced a disappointing second-round exit last season, the Lakers went all the way to the NBA Finals and won the championship thanks to the play of James and Davis.
The roles have been reversed this season, with the Lakers getting eliminated by the Phoenix Suns in the first round and the Clippers making it to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history.
Lue understands the Lakers-Clippers dynamic better than most, as he spent three seasons with the Lakers as a player from 1998-2001 and was an assistant coach with the Clippers from 2013-14 and 2019-20 before taking over as the head coach this season.
Now, Lakers fans are faced with the quandary of rooting for either their in-city rivals or the team that knocked them out in the first round of the playoffs.
Regardless of where Lakers fans' allegiances lie, the Western Conference Finals should be exciting and tightly contested, especially given the uncertainty surrounding the status of two star players.
Suns point guard Chris Paul is in the NBA's COVID-19 health and safety protocols, while Leonard missed the final two games of the Clippers' second-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz with a knee injury.
While it remains to be seen where Lakers fans will align, Lue will look to make it two straight years with an L.A. team in the NBA Finals.
Woj: Clippers Hopeful Kawhi Leonard Injury Isn't Severe; SF May Miss Playoffs
Jun 17, 2021
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) controls the ball during Game 7 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Los Angeles, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly "hopeful" Kawhi Leonard avoided a serious knee injury, but it's possible he will miss the remainder of the 2021 postseason.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported there's "no chance" Leonard would play in the remainder of the Western Conference Semifinals. It's expected Leonard will undergo more testing within the next 24-48 hours. Ty Lue confirmed Thursday that Leonard won't play in Game 6 on Friday.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst dropped a bit of a bombshell when he reported the 29-year-old was expected to miss Los Angeles' Game 5 matchup with the Utah Jazz on Wednesday because of a knee injury.
According to Windhorst, the five-time All-Star had "landed awkwardly" while driving to the basket in the fourth quarter of the Clippers' 118-104 win on Monday.
Leonard finished with 31 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals in that victory. He also threw down a thunderous jam on Derrick Favors.
Following last year's collapse against the Denver Nuggets, the Clippers seem primed to fulfill their destiny and reach the NBA Finals. Los Angeles showed some mettle by beating the Dallas Mavericks in seven games after falling behind 0-2 in the series. Likewise, it dropped its first two games against the Jazz before reeling off three straight wins.
Paul George put together a Herculean effort in Game 5 to give the Clippers a 3-2 series lead.
Leonard's injury threatens to undo all of that progress, though, and it's difficult to envision the Clippers being in a position to win the NBA championship without him on the floor.
Paul George: 'I'm Back in That Indy Mindset' with Kawhi Leonard Injured for Clippers
Jun 17, 2021
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - JUNE 16: Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers celebrates a basket in Game Five of the Western Conference second-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on June 16, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
Kawhi Leonard's misfortune may have unlocked a version of Paul George that hasn't been seen on the court in years.
Speaking to reporters after the Los Angeles Clippers' 119-111 win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night, George said he's "back in that Indy mindset."
"I've been in Indiana, where I had to lead a franchise. The beauty here is that I get to do that with one of the best of the world in Kawhi," George added.
George was a key player for the Indiana Pacers early in his career when the franchise had a rivalry with the Miami Heat during their run with LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade.
George dropped 37 points in 45 minutes in Game 5 of the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals to help the Pacers win 93-90 to keep the series going for one more game.
The Clippers received bad news prior to Wednesday's Game 5 against the Jazz when they announced Leonard will be out indefinitely with a sprained right knee.
Per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Clippers are concerned about a possible ACL injury to Leonard.
In his first playoff game as a Clipper without Leonard at his side, George played arguably his best game with the franchise. The seven-time All-Star scored 37 points on 12-of-22 shooting and grabbed 16 rebounds in 40 minutes.
If Leonard is unable to return this postseason, Los Angeles will need the best version of George to show up every game if it wants to win a championship.
The Clippers have won three straight games over the Jazz and can close out the series in Game 6 at the Staples Center on Friday night at 10 p.m. ET.
Paul George Drops 37 as Clippers Win Crucial Game 5 over Donovan Mitchell, Jazz
Jun 17, 2021
Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George (13) flexes his muscles after scoring against the Utah Jazz during the first half of Game 5 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Los Angeles Clippers are one win away from advancing past what has turned into a battle of attrition.
Los Angeles took a 3-2 lead in its second-round series against the Utah Jazz with a 119-111 victory in Wednesday's Game 5 at Vivint Arena. Paul George, Marcus Morris Sr. and Reggie Jackson led the way in the winning effort and helped make up for the loss of star Kawhi Leonard, who was sidelined with a knee injury.
Notable showings from Bojan Bogdanovic and Donovan Mitchell weren't enough for the Jazz, who have been without point guard Mike Conley (hamstring) throughout the series.
Notable Player Stats
Paul George, G, LAC: 37 PTS, 16 REB, 5 AST, 2 BLK
Marcus Morris Sr., F, LAC: 25 PTS
Reggie Jackson, G, LAC: 22 PTS, 3 AST, 2 STL
Donovan Mitchell, G, UTA: 21 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST
Bojan Bogdanovic, F, UTA: 32 PTS, 9-of-17 3PT
Paul George Leads Balanced Effort for Shorthanded Clippers
Not since his Indiana Pacers days has there been so much individual pressure on George to carry his team in a critical moment as the unquestioned go-to option.
Without Leonard, Los Angeles needed George to be the two-way superstar who can do a little bit of everything. That was especially the case on the road, and he wasted no time responding by aggressively attacking the basket and battling for boards even against taller frontcourt players.
The result was 22 points in the first half for the seven-time All-Star, which helped keep the Clippers well within striking distance despite red-hot shooting from the Jazz.
The visitors took over during the third quarter to build a double-digit lead. George continued to pick his spots without forcing the issue, and Morris provided important secondary scoring when Utah collapsed on George.
It was Jackson's turn to be the secondary playmaker in the fourth quarter, as he hit multiple outside shots and then assisted on a Nicolas Batum three to answer a Utah burst, pushing the lead back to double digits. He did it again after the Jazz closed to within three with a corner triple and drive right at Rudy Gobert to create more breathing room.
Throw in a monster dunk over Gobert by Terance Mann in crunch time, and a number of Clippers contributed with the game hanging in the balance.
Yet it was George who connected on an and-1 jumper from the elbow in the final two minutes to answer one more challenge by the Jazz. He also led all players in rebounding and, at least for one night, emphatically answered any lingering questions from last year's second-round loss regarding his ability to deliver when it matters most.
Jazz Fall Apart in Second Half
This was a golden opportunity the Jazz likely had to take advantage of if they are going to deliver on their championship hopes.
After all, they had the home-court advantage they earned during the regular season by going 31-5 at Vivint Arena. Los Angeles also didn't have its two-time NBA Finals MVP leading the way, which was probably an even bigger absence than Conley's.
Bogdanovic and Jordan Clarkson had a sense of the moment right from the start and combined for 11 three-pointers in the first half alone. It was the exact spark the team needed, especially after the Jazz struggled to generate enough offense outside of Mitchell until it was too late in Game 4.
Utah didn't make a single three-pointer in the third quarter as it fell behind by double digits. Mitchell also wasn't the dominant force he was during the first four games of this series, which seemingly left the Jazz grasping for straws offensively. Were it not for Rudy Gobert's offensive rebounding, the No. 1 seed may have fallen completely out of the game before the fourth.
Frankly, the Jazz were fighting an uphill battle throughout the game with Mitchell just a step slower with the ball in his hands. They failed to build sustained momentum, as every small push seemed to end with a missed three or failed defensive possession.
All hope is not lost for the No. 1 seed considering the Clippers still might not have Leonard as they attempt to close the series out, but the abysmal second half in Game 5 will linger for Utah if it doesn't win two straight.
What's Next?
The series returns to Los Angeles for Friday's Game 6.
Clippers 'Being Optimistic' About Kawhi Leonard's Knee Injury, Ty Lue Says
Jun 17, 2021
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 14: LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) ready for defense during the game 4 of the second round of the Western Conference Playoffs between the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers on June 14, 2021, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Head coach Ty Lue said the Los Angeles Clippers are "being optimistic" about the knee injury that kept Kawhi Leonard out of Wednesday' Game 5 against the Utah Jazz.
That's a change of pace from the team's initial announcement, when the team said there was "no timetable" for his return from the right knee sprain he suffered in Game 4.
Leonard will undergo more testing over the next few days, and the team will wait for those results before determining his future status, according to Mark Medina of USA Today.
With the series tied 2-2 entering Wednesday's game, the Clippers will at least play a Game 6, which is scheduled for Friday at 10 p.m. ET.
Leonard deflected questions about his injury after Game 4, telling reporters simply that he was "good." He told teammates Tuesday that he wouldn't play in Game 5, according to Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
LeBron James offered his sympathies to Leonard on Twitter, then went off about the abbreviated schedule that the 2020-21 season followed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
They all didn’t wanna listen to me about the start of the season. I knew exactly what would happen. I only wanted to protect the well being of the players which ultimately is the PRODUCT & BENEFIT of OUR GAME! These injuries isn’t just “PART OF THE GAME”. It’s the lack of PURE
works all year round it’s ME! I speak for the health of all our players and I hate to see this many injuries this time of the year. Sorry fans wish you guys were seeing all your fav guys right now. 🙏🏾👑
While his absence is sure to be felt in Game 5, any more missed time could be brutal for the Clippers as they attempt to reach their first-ever Western Conference Finals. The star is averaging 30.4 points on 57 percent shooting so far this postseason.
During the regular season, he averaged 24.8 points with 6.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists through 52 games.
Report: Clippers' Kawhi Leonard out Indefinitely with Knee Injury; ACL Damage Feared
Jun 16, 2021
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives to the basket in the second half during Game 6 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in Dallas, Friday, June 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard will reportedly be out indefinitely after suffering a sprained knee, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
Charania added the Clippers fear Leonard has suffered an ACL injury.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst first reported the injury, adding that Leonard suffered the injury in L.A.'s Game 4 win.
Windhorst added that Leonard told his teammates Tuesday to "prepare for him to be out."
Leonard, 29, is arguably the most irreplaceable member of the Clippers roster, providing elite defense and even more thrilling offense while creating mismatches on both ends of the floor.
After averaging 24.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists over the course of the regular season, he's posting 30.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.1 steals per game in the playoffs, which has helped Los Angeles into a 2-2 series tie with the top-seeded Jazz.
Los Angeles fell behind 2-0 in the series after beating the Dallas Mavericks in seven games in the first round, but Kawhi took over with 34 points in Game 3 and 31 points in Game 4 against Utah.
While Leonard played down any concerns after injuring his knee in Game 4, Windhorst's report suggests the injury is worse than initially thought.
Without Leonard available, Los Angeles' ability to get past the Jazz does take a major hit.
Look for head coach Ty Lue to rely more on Paul George, Luke Kennard, Terance Mann, Amir Coffey and Marcus Morris.
Much of the offensive burden will fall on the shoulders of George, who is the team's No. 2 scoring option and is averaging 24.9 points per game during the playoffs.
While George is capable of raising his level of play and carrying the Clippers, beating a Jazz team led by Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert without their top player in Leonard will be a tall task for L.A.
