Los Angeles Clippers

Los Angeles Clippers head coach Ty Lue said forward Paul George was "special" during Tuesday night's 113-112 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.

George hit the game-winning free throws with 4.8 seconds remaining to finish with a game-high 33 points along with 11 rebounds, three assists and two steals in 37 minutes.

"He's been carrying us," Lue told reporters. "He's really stepped up by making his teammates better but also scoring the basketball. He's just doing everything. It was a complete game tonight, and we needed every bit of it."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0etGzg8gNM

George has been asked to carry a larger offensive burden for the Clippers with fellow franchise cornerstone Kawhi Leonard missing five of the past six games with a foot injury. Lue announced Leonard will be held out until at least next week for precautionary reasons with an eye toward the playoffs.

Meanwhile, his running mate has picked up the slack in a major way since the calendar flipped to April.

George has averaged 29.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 3.6 threes and 1.4 steals across nine appearances this month. He's shooting 51.6 percent from the floor, 45.7 percent on threes and 89.1 percent from the free-throw line, and he's scored over 30 points in six of his past seven outings.

That's MVP-level production, and it's helped move the seven-time All-Star up to third in ESPN's Real Plus-Minus and fifth in FiveThirtyEight's WAR among all players for the 2020-21 season.

"Portland had the game and we were able to continue to keep fighting and take this game from them," George said. "We celebrate that. We played great down the stretch. We weren't great for the whole 48 [minutes] but I thought when we needed to be great, we were great."

The win moved the Clippers to 41-19, which ranks third in the Western Conference behind the Utah Jazz (43-15) and Phoenix Suns (41-16). It also puts them nine games clear of the seventh-seeded Dallas Mavericks (30-26), which is close to guaranteeing they won't have to take part in the play-in tournament.

L.A. is back in action Wednesday night when it hosts the Memphis Grizzlies (29-27) at Staples Center.

Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard will have his right foot reevaluated next week after experiencing soreness, according to Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic.

Clippers star Kawhi Leonard will be re-evaluated next week with right foot soreness.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 20, 2021

Leonard missed four games with a foot injury before returning to the lineup Sunday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The wing posted 15 points and 11 rebounds in 22 minutes as the Clippers won 124-105.

Los Angeles knew the situation when it signed Leonard in 2019. He had missed 22 games in 2018-19 with the Toronto Raptors and explained to ESPN's Rachel Nichols how his load-management plan had helped him excel in the playoffs:

Here's Part 1 of my conversation with Kawhi Leonard, where we talked about the serious stuff: tonight's Game 4, how he thinks he wouldn't even be playing in these Finals without all that load management this season, and how free agency is just 23 days away. pic.twitter.com/62mGqP8gYp

— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) June 7, 2019

In November 2019, the NBA gave the green light for Los Angeles to rest the five-time All-Star provided it was part of the continued maintenance of the quad injury he suffered in 2017-18 with the San Antonio Spurs.

Though he has been out for 13 games so far this season, the Clippers haven't been as proactive when it comes to resting Leonard. He's on pace to set a career high with 34.4 minutes per game, and his absences have usually been tied to specific issues, such as the foot injury that most recently sidelined him.

When on the court, the 29-year-old has performed as expected. He's averaging 25.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.1 assists while shooting 51.6 percent from the floor.

As long as he's ready to go for the playoffs, losing Leonard for a game or two isn't a major cause for concern for Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Clippers are keeping DeMarcus Cousins around for at least 10 more days. 

Per Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, the Clippers announced Friday they have signed Cousins to a new 10-day contract. 

Los Angeles has been playing without starting center Serge Ibaka since March 15 after he suffered back injury. 

Head coach Tyronn Lue told reporters on April 11 that Ibaka wouldn't be with the team during its three-game road trip that ends on Friday night against the Philadelphia 76ers. 

Cousins signed his first 10-day deal with the Clippers on April 5. The four-time All-Star began this season with the Houston Rockets before being waived on Feb. 23 after making 25 appearances for the team. 

Lue has gradually integrated Cousins into the rotation. He has appeared in three games since April 6. The 30-year-old's 15 minutes of action on Wednesday against the Detroit Pistons were his most as a member of the Clippers. 

Cousins has been effective in limited playing time for the Clippers. He is averaging six points on 46.7 percent shooting off the bench. 

The Clippers will play five games for the duration of Cousins' second 10-day contract. They have won seven consecutive games and rank third in the Western Conference with a 39-18 record. 

Los Angeles Clippers head coach Ty Lue said Wednesday that the team is being careful with superstar forward Kawhi Leonard when it comes to his foot injury. 

According to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk, Lue said the Clippers are "leaning toward the cautious side" with Leonard, who missed his third consecutive game Wednesday. Lue considers Leonard day-to-day.

Leonard, 29, has averaged 26.0 points on 51.5 percent shooting, 6.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.7 steals for the 39-18 Clippers, who are third in the Western Conference.

Just as they did last season, the Clips have taken a cautious approach with Kawhi and his health in 2020-21, as he has sat out 12 games.

The two-time NBA Finals MVP is in his second season with the Clippers after joining L.A. in free agency following the 2018-19 campaign, when he led the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA title during his only season with the team. Prior to that season, Leonard played for the San Antonio Spurs from 2011 to 2018 and won the 2014 NBA Finals.

The six-time All-NBA Defensive team member, five-time All-Star and four-time All-NBA team member is one of the best two-way players in the game, and losing him for any amount of time is a blow for a Clippers team looking to bounce back after a tough second-round exit in last year's playoffs to the Denver Nuggets.

The Clippers have experience playing without Leonard, going 8-4 when he's not in the lineup. He's missed time this year because of a mouth laceration, the NBA's health and safety protocols, a lower-leg contusion, back spasms and foot soreness.

Lue has choices at his disposal to keep the team afloat for as long as Kawhi is out of the lineup.

One of them is Terance Mann, who is averaging 25 minutes per game over the past three contests with Leonard out. Mann has put up 8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game during that stretch.

Also, look for the likes of Paul George, Marcus Morris, Reggie Jackson and Nicolas Batum to raise their level of play while Leonard is out.

Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George said he altered his mindset concerning his toe injury, and it's helped him get his 2020-21 season back on track.

"The injury allowed me to kind of make an excuse for myself," George told reporters after Tuesday's 126-115 win over the Indiana Pacers. "But then I put it in perspective ... if I'm gonna play, then don't let it limit me. I feel like I've had a breakthrough because of that mindset."

George was terrific to lead the Clippers past the Pacers, tallying a game-high 36 points along with eight assists, seven rebounds and two steals in 38 minutes. His strong play was necessary with Kawhi Leonard sidelined for the contest by right foot soreness.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gakTQJJgKkA?

The seven-time All-Star had endured a noticeable drop off in play in March while battling the toe injury, averaging a season-low in points (20.1) and shooting just 40.7 percent from the field, more than eight percentage points worse than any other month this season.

George has bounced back strong to open the April schedule, putting up 26.8 points per game and knocking down 50.5 percent of his shots.

"He's definitely in a groove," teammate Marcus Morris Sr. said. "He's playing with a chip on his shoulder. He is making an emphasis of really taking over and being the best version of himself."

L.A. is riding a six-game winning streak and sits third in the Western Conference with a 38-18 record. Once the Clips clinch a playoff spot inside the top six to avoid the play-in tournament, they'll likely give George some additional games off to rest the toe.

The 6'8'' Fresno State product said his treatment has been helping, but he hopes the toe is eventually a nonissue.

"It hasn't been flaring up, so that's been working," George said. "And hopefully, at some point, it just goes away and it's an afterthought, nothing I'm worried about going forward."

The Clippers are right back in action Wednesday night when they visit Little Caesars Arena to take on the Detroit Pistons (16-38).

The Los Angeles Clippers are preparing to sign guard Yogi Ferrell to a 10-day contract in the coming days, according to Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic. 

Guard Yogi Ferrell plans to sign a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Clippers later next week upon clearing health and safety protocols, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 11, 2021

The Indiana product last appeared in the league with the Cleveland Cavaliers in mid January 2021, averaging 9.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in two games. He's played with the G League's Salt Lake City Stars since February 10. 

The Clippers are dealing with a few health concerns lately as guard Rajon Rondo (sore right adductor), Patrick Beverley (hand fracture) and Paul George (bruised eye) work on getting back to 100 percent. 

Los Angeles is planning to reevaluate Beverley in three to four weeks after he had surgery last week, while Rondo and George are considered day-to-day. 

Reggie Jackson, Luke Kennard and Terance Mann are likely to see plenty of playing time as Rondo and Beverley recover, while adding Ferrell should provide the Clippers with some much-needed depth for the time being. 

Now in his age-27 season—and having spent time with the Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings as well as the Cavs—Ferrell should be able to enter the fold rather quickly and provide adequate play in short spurts. 

That's all Los Angeles will need as it enters Sunday 36-18, third in the Western Conference and 4.5 games back of the Utah Jazz for the top seed. 

Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley underwent surgery for a fractured left hand Friday and is expected to miss three to four weeks as he recovers, the team announced. 

Clippers announce that they have lost Patrick Beverley for at least 3 to 4 weeks with a fractured bone in his left hand: pic.twitter.com/t8oofni5UE

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) April 10, 2021

The Clippers said the injury occurred during Thursday's game against the Phoenix Suns when Beverley attempted to grab a rebound. The guard was eventually ejected on a controversial foul against Suns star Chris Paul with seven minutes left in regulation. 

It's a brutal blow to a Clippers team that's been rolling of late with an 8-2 record over its last 10 games. Los Angeles is just two games back of Phoenix for first place in the Pacific Division and 4.5 back of the Utah Jazz for first in the Western Conference overall.

Now, L.A. will have to begin the schedule's home stretch without its starting point guard. 

Beverley was ejected half a minute later when he fouled Chris Paul excessively as Paul was initiating a break. https://t.co/8Jv8H5Q75r

— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) April 10, 2021

In 31 games this season, Beverley is averaging 8.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per night while playing a significant role on defense. The Clippers will look to make up for that with some combination of Rajon Rondo, Reggie Jackson and Terance Mann. It's likely Paul George will see more time as a primary ball-handler as well. 

With the regular season ending in 37 days, Los Angeles will have to hope Beverley comes back on time and can get a few games played before the postseason begins, but the Clippers specifically did not put a timeline on Beverley's return. 

Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George said he wasn't concerned with trying to keep pace with the Phoenix Suns' trash talk during Thursday night's game.

George, who scored a game-high 33 points in the Clippers' 113-103 win, told reporters about his team's mindset:

"We focused on us. I don't know what that chirp is about. We focused on us. I don't care what they're doing over there. I don't care who they are or what they're doing.

"I'm locked in. They can do the chirping, I let them have it tonight. I just stayed in my zone, stayed in my place, I don't know. ... I don't care what they're doing. We're focused on us over here. We're focused on getting better. Tonight was a fun matchup, and we appreciate the challenge."

It was an important victory for L.A. (35-18), which moved within two games of Phoenix (36-15) for second place in the Western Conference. The Clips have won three straight games and nine of their past 11 contests.

While the Clippers put together one of their most complete offensive performances of the season, shooting 50 percent from the field, knocking down 18 threes and posting a 26-10 assist-to-turnover ratio, most of the focus afterward was the consistent verbal exchanges.

George described it as "people just living in the past," and Los Angeles head coach Ty Lue said there's nothing wrong with a little extra emotion in a big game:

"I don't have any concerns. I love it. When you are competing at a high level against one of the best teams in the league, do what you go to do to win. And I thought our guys were physical. We competed, we fought. ...

"There are going to be games like this where it is going to be chippy. They are fighting for something, we are fighting for something, so it is going to happen, and I am OK with it."

Along with the chirping, there was plenty of physical play, with the Suns' Devin Booker getting a technical foul and the Clippers' Patrick Beverley getting ejected for a hard foul on Chris Paul.

"I love to chat a little bit, and they pretty much started it in the first half," Clippers guard Rajon Rondo said. "So other than that I was just trying to play the game, but sometimes it involves a little bit of chatter."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17bc0C78ypc?

The teams will meet again April 28 in Phoenix for the final game of the regular-season series, and it could be a crucial matchup in the race for seeding atop the West.

In addition, the foundation is laid for a highly entertaining series if the sides eventually face off in the playoffs.

The Los Angeles Clippers ended the Phoenix Suns' seven-game win streak with a 113-103 home victory on Thursday at Staples Center.

Paul George scored 11 of his game-high 33 points in the fourth quarter and made 7-of-9 three-pointers along the way. His efforts helped turn a 83-81 Clippers lead after three quarters into a 10-point win.

Kawhi Leonard scored 19 of his 27 points in the second half to guide the 35-18 Clippers, who have won three straight and now sit third in the Western Conference.

Devin Booker's 24 points paced the Suns, who went just 6-of-24 from three-point range. Mikal Bridges added 20 points, and Deandre Ayton contributed an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double.

The 36-15 Suns now sit 2.5 games behind the Utah Jazz for first in the West.

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Notable Performances

Clippers F Paul George: 33 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals

Clippers F Kawhi Leonard: 27 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists

Clippers G Rajon Rondo: 15 points, 9 assists

Clippers F Marcus Morris: 8 points, 6 rebounds

Suns SG Devin Booker: 24 points

Suns F Mikal Bridges: 20 points, 5 rebounds

Suns C Deandre Ayton: 18 points, 10 rebounds

Suns PG Chris Paul: 13 points, 7 rebounds

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Clippers Go Full Circle in Win

George carried the Clips in the first half, and Leonard took care of business in the third quarter.

The second unit's scorching fourth-quarter start gave the Clips a 10-point lead, and George then took over once again to lead L.A. to victory.

It was all PG-13 in the first two quarters, as he finished with one-third of the Clippers' 54 first-half points.

George scored his 18th point with 5:32 remaining in the second quarter after nailing a three-pointer to put L.A. up 45-39. He dominated from beyond the arc, notably getting hot from the right corner:

.@Yg_Trece goin' to work.

He's got 9 points (4-5 FG) in the first quarter. pic.twitter.com/CHOdFm7Z29

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) April 9, 2021

Catch, shoot, cash.

📺 @NBAonTNT | @Yg_Trece pic.twitter.com/SUGgL5AgX4

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) April 9, 2021

On the flip side, it was not a good first half for Leonard, who found himself with more turnovers (three) than points (two) late in the second quarter. He did nail a pair of threes to finish his first half, including this one to end the frame:

.@kawhileonard from long range to end the first half. 👌🏾 pic.twitter.com/MPGJOsQFCG

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) April 9, 2021

It was all Leonard in the third quarter, though, as he scored 14 points, 12 of which came within a 4:38 span. He also put Ayton on a poster during that time frame:

KAWHI DUNKS ALL OVER AYTON 🤯 https://t.co/5ciWP2g3sY

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 9, 2021

Leonard's work allowed L.A. to go up two going into the fourth quarter.

From there, George and the Clippers' second unit helped put the game away, opening the final 12 minutes on a 10-2 run.

New Clipper point guard Rajon Rondo hit a three, and Patrick Patterson did as well. George added a pair of steals, and L.A. was on its way to a win.

But the Suns were given life after Clippers guard Patrick Beverley was assessed a flagrant foul on Paul and was ejected from the game.

Paul hit his flagrant free throws and then nailed a two-pointer on the ensuing possession to make the score 93-89 in L.A.'s favor.

However, it was George who took over down the stretch, as he scored eight points in a 10-0 run to salt the game away.

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Nothing Goes Right for Phoenix in Poor 4th Quarter

The Suns had only one field goal through the first five minutes of the fourth quarter and three until the final minute, which served as garbage time.

Phoenix also committed four turnovers and scored just eight points in the first eight minutes.

The other end was disastrous, as the Clippers had no answers for George, Leonard or a Rondo-led second unit that excelled down the stretch. L.A. simply played great team basketball, perhaps best exemplified by the ball movement that led to this Leonard bucket:

Everybody gets a touch. pic.twitter.com/TwFbB5Xzha

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) April 9, 2021

George getting hot didn't help matters, either. He was untouchable at times, like when he drained a three-pointer with the 6'11" Ayton in his face:

.@Yg_Trece feelin' it. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/1aIO6Lqv62

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) April 9, 2021

It's an unideal performance for the Suns, who entered Thursday as winners of seven straight, especially against a Clippers team that it may face in the playoffs.

The Suns also lost a game in the standings to the first-place Jazz, who beat the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday.

However, 12 poor minutes certainly don't signify that the sky is falling. Phoenix is having an exemplary season and could very well get hot and start a new winning streak when it takes the court again.

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What's Next?

L.A. will stay home to face the Houston Rockets on Friday at 10 p.m. ET. The Suns will return home to host the Washington Wizards on Saturday at 10 p.m. in Phoenix Suns Arena.

Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue would like to see center DeMarcus Cousins stay in town after the expiration of his 10-day contract.

Ty Lue said DeMarcus Cousins did a “great job” against Portland considering he didn’t know much of what the team wanted to run. Could Cousins stick past a 10-day? “You hope so,” said Lue, who believes Boogie can make a “huge impact.”

— Andrew Greif (@AndrewGreif) April 9, 2021

L.A. signed Cousins to a 10-day contract on Monday. The four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA player had seven points and four rebounds in eight minutes during the Clips' 133-116 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday.

Cousins was available after the Houston Rockets waived him in February. The big man was once one of the most dominant centers in the NBA, but he has been sidelined with significant injuries over the past few years, including a torn left Achilles, a torn left quadriceps and a torn ACL.

Still, the 30-year-old Cousins has been productive in his limited time on the court this year, averaging 9.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in just 19.8 minutes per game.

Having him at a reserve would be beneficial for the Clippers as they look to make a deep playoff run this spring and summer.

It also gives L.A. some more insurance down low as center Serge Ibaka, who has been out since March 14 with lower back tightness, tries to work his way back onto the court. As of Sunday, Ibaka had not played in any five-on-five drills in practice.

Ty Lue mentioned pregame that Serge Ibaka (lower back tightness) "hasn't had a chance to play 5-on-5 yet." So the Clippers certainly will welcome depth in the post. https://t.co/GyxujkaUEG

— Mirjam Swanson (@MirjamSwanson) April 4, 2021

L.A. has five more games over the remainder of Cousins' 10-day contract, with a matchup against the Phoenix Suns on deck Thursday.