Clippers Trade Rumors: LAC Expected to Deal a Center at 2022 Deadline
Feb 8, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 6: Serge Ibaka #9 of the LA Clippers celebrates during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 6, 2022 at Crypto.Com Arena 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 2022 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly planning to part ways with one of their big men before Thursday's trade deadline.
Andrew Greif of the Los Angeles Times reports that the Clippers are willing to deal one of their three centers to help open up the rotation.
"Serge Ibaka's the most likely candidate because of his expiring salary, but there are scenarios, team president Lawrence Frank has said, where he returns," Greif wrote (h/t HoopsHype). "Some around the league take that to mean that there are scenarios where potentially Ivica Zubac could be packaged and sent elsewhere as part of a bigger move."
Isaiah Hartenstein is the third center on the team. Greif noted that the Clippers' three-man rotation at the position "has not truly worked all that well for anyone involved."
Zubac has been the team's regular starter when healthy and he leads Los Angeles with eight rebounds per game and 65.1 percent shooting to go with an average of 9.6 points in 24.1 minutes.
Hartenstein has appeared in 41 games and averages 7.3 points on 62.4 percent from the field. Ibaka, a 12-year veteran, is averaging career-lows of 4.3 rebounds and 15.4 minutes per game.
The Clippers already made a splash by acquiring wing players Norman Powell and Robert Covington from the Portland Trail Blazers Friday. The Blazers received Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, Keon Johnson and a future second-round pick in the deal.
Both Powell and Covington made their team debuts for Los Angeles on Sunday and came off the bench. Powell displayed the offensive potency that is expected of him, scoring 28 points in a 137-113 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Covington, who is known for his defense, added 13 points.
At 27-28, the Clippers are trying to keep pace in the playoff race in the Western Conference. The team has been without star forward Paul George (elbow) since December and his running mate Kawhi Leonard (knee) for the entire year.
Los Angeles has shown that it is not giving up on the season, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see the team make another move before the deadline to improve its roster.
Clippers' Marcus Morris Shades Lakers, 76ers: 'Both of Them Teams Is Pretty Average'
Feb 4, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 3: Marcus Morris Sr. #8 of the LA Clippers smiles during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 3, 2022 at Crypto.Com Arena 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 2022 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus
Morris Sr. said he wasn't impressed with the Los Angeles Lakers or
the Philadelphia 76ers during their recent matchups.
Morris and the Clippers scored a
111-110 win over the rival Lakers on Thursday night and previously
knocked off the Sixers, 102-101 on Jan. 21, despite playing without
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
"I mean s--t, both of them teams
is pretty average from what I have seen. Like I don't see them just
being great teams," Morris said, per ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuJJ6uQokv4
The Clippers (27-27) have managed to
stay afloat in the Western Conference playoff race while holding out
hope Leonard and George will be able to return before season's end.
In fairness to the Lakers and Sixers,
their rosters haven't been at full strength for much of the season
either.
Los Angeles (25-28) has dealt with
injury absences for LeBron James and Anthony Davis, which further
disrupted the team's effort to build chemistry after a significant
roster overhaul.
Philadelphia (31-20) has played well
despite the continued absence of Ben Simmons, who's focused on his
mental health while awaiting a potential trade.
Yet at least in the eyes of ESPN's
Basketball Power Index, Morris' comment may have some merit. Philly
is 12th in that ranking, while L.A. is 17th. The Clippers at 15th.
That would put all three teams within that "pretty average" realm.
Of course, the only thing that
ultimately matters is how far each team advances in the playoffs and
that will be heavily depend on which roster is closest to full
strength.
Morris' remarks would surely add a
little heat to a potential Lakers vs. Clippers in the West's play-in
tournament, though.
Clippers Updated Lineup, Salary Cap After Trade for Norman Powell, Robert Covington
Feb 4, 2022
Portland Trail Blazers forward Norman Powell shoots against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Monday, Dec. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
The Los Angeles Clippers reportedly
shook up their rotation Friday by acquiring Norman Powell and Robert
Covington in a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the
Clippers sent Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, Keon Johnson and the
Detroit Pistons' 2025 second-round pick to Portland in the deal.
Here's a look at L.A.'s updated depth
chart with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George sidelined by injury:
PG: Reggie Jackson
SG: Amir Coffey, Luke Kennard
SF: Norman Powell, Terance Mann
PF: Robert Covington, Marcus Morris Sr., Nicolas Batum
C: Ivica Zubac, Isaiah Hartenstein, Serge Ibaka
It's a deal that does come with a
financial cost as the Clippers' luxury-tax bill increases from $93.9
million to $112.9 million, per ESPN's Bobby Marks.
Word of the trade comes after head
coach Tyronn Lue didn't signal much optimism about the potential
availability of Leonard and George for the remainder of this season
after Thursday night's win over the rival Los Angeles Lakers.
"We know Kawhi's probably not
gonna come back," Lue told reporters. "We don't know the
status of PG, but these guys continue to keep fighting. Every single
night."
He added: "I don't know. I'm not a
doctor. But hope is stronger than fear. So I'm hoping that these two
guys can come back. But you never know."
Leonard has yet to play this season
while recovering from a torn ACL, while George has been sidelined
since Dec. 22 because of an elbow injury.
The Clippers (27-27) have remained
competitive despite those high-profile absences, and it appears that
gave the front office enough reason to push further into the luxury
tax in order to upgrade the roster.
As it stands, the ideal scenario for
L.A. is finding a way to climb inside the Western Conference's top
six—it's currently eighth, 2.5 games behind the sixth-seeded
Denver Nuggets—to avoid the play-in tournament and hope either
Leonard, George or both are able to return for the playoffs.
While it sounds like a long shot at
this stage, if somehow the Clippers roster returns to full strength
in time for the postseason, they should emerge as a true title
contender.
In the short term, the additions of
Powell and Covington should provide a nice boost. Here's the numbers
they put up this season with the Blazers:
Powell: 18.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists in 40 games
Covington: 7.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 1.3 blocks in 48 games
The first chance to make their Clippers
debut will come Sunday at home against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Lue: Kawhi Leonard 'Probably Not' Returning This Season; Paul George Uncertain
Feb 4, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 26: Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts after a play during the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena on December 26, 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Clippers coach Ty Lue told reporters Kawhi Leonard is "probably not" playing this season and the return of Paul George remains uncertain.
"We know Kawhi's probably not gonna come back," Lue said after Thursday's 111-110 win over the Lakers. "We don't know the status of PG, but these guys continue to keep fighting. Every single night."
George is set to undergo an MRI on Feb. 24 that will give the Clippers a better timetable of his potential return from a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. Leonard has missed the entire season after suffering an ACL injury during the 2021 NBA playoffs.
"I hope he's feeling good," Lue said of George. "I don't know, but things can change. Just something to look forward to. Hope is stronger than fear."
When George has been in the lineup, he's averaged 24.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game.
The Clippers have gotten only 26 games played this season out of George but remain in the thick of the Western Conference playoff hunt at 27-27. Their win over the rival Lakers on Thursday gave them a 1.5-game lead for eighth place in the West. They would play the No. 7 seed Minnesota Timberwolves if the season ended today.
Clippers Defeat Anthony Davis, Lakers with LeBron James, Paul George Out Injured
Feb 4, 2022
Los Angeles Lakers guard Malik Monk, right, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers center Serge Ibaka, left, defends while forward Anthony Davis stands by during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 111-110 on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena for their third win in the last five games behind Reggie Jackson's go-ahead layup with 4.1 seconds remaining in regulation.
Jackson's spinning lay-in capped off a frantic back-and-forth sequence at the end of regulation that featured a pair of lead changes and an Anthony Davis runner that nearly handed the Lakers the win at the final buzzer.
The Lakers were once again without LeBron James, who is dealing with a knee injury. However, Davis and Russell Westbrook powered the team in his absence. The Clippers remained without their two best players in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George due to injury.
The Lakers and Clippers were once the premier teams in the Western Conference, but with injuries continuing to ravage both squads, they both could be headed for a spot in the play-in round. Thursday's result could end up having big implications for both teams moving forward.
No Leonard. No George. No problem for Ibaka, who lit up the Lakers on Thursday night for his best game of the season.
The 32-year-old finished with a season-high 20 points in addition to nine rebounds, two assists and two blocks. It was also his first game with at least 20 points since Feb. 14, 2021, when he put up 21 points in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
For comparison, Ibaka entered Thursday's contest averaging just 6.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and one assist per game. However, to be fair, it appears the veteran might be beginning to heat up.
In a loss to the Indiana Pacers on Monday, Ibaka also put up double digits, finishing with 14 points in addition to 11 rebounds, one steal and two blocks.
Before Monday's game, Ibaka hadn't reached double digits since a Jan. 15 loss to the Sacramento Kings when he notched 10 points.
Ibaka has been mentioned in trade rumors leading up to the Feb. 10 deadline. According to The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor, the Clippers are reportedly willing to move a combination of veterans for an upgrade at point guard, including players like Ibaka.
Based on his performance against the Lakers, it's hard to imagine the Clippers moving on from Ibaka. However, he'll become a free agent after this season, so there's always the possibility he could be moved.
Lakers' Injury Woes Continue with Carmelo Anthony's Exit
The Lakers have dealt with injuries to several key players throughout the 2021-22 campaign. James is already sidelined, and now it appears Anthony, who has been great off the bench, could miss a few games.
The 37-year-old exited Thursday's game just before halftime after tweaking his right hamstring while going up for a shot. He exited after putting up seven points, two rebounds and a block in 11 minutes.
Carmelo Anthony (right hamstring strain) is out for the remainder of tonight's game https://t.co/Pw8fzP82X1
It's a really unfortunate injury for both Anthony and the Lakers. The veteran had one of his best games of the season Wednesday against the Portland Trail Blazers, putting up 24 points, two rebounds and two blocks. He was hoping to build off that momentum moving forward, especially with James sidelined.
Anthony has been a solid depth piece for L.A. this season, entering Thursday's game averaging 13.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game while shooting 43.7 percent from the floor and 38.9 percent from deep.
The Lakers will have to dig deep on the bench if Anthony misses any time. Kent Bazemore, Stanley Johnson, Malik Monk, Austin Reaves and Talen Horton-Tucker could all see more playing time.
With Anthony sidelined, Monk particularly stood out, finishing with 21 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. They Lakers will need him to keep that energy moving forward, especially if James and Davis remain out.
What's Next?
The Lakers will host the New York Knicks on Saturday, while the Clippers will host the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday.
NBA L2M: Luke Kennard's 4-Point Play vs. Wizards Should Have Been Waved Off
Jan 26, 2022
Los Angeles Clippers guard Luke Kennard (5) celebrates after hitting the game tying shot against the Washington Wizards during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, in Washington. The Clippers erased a 35 point deficit to defeat the Wizards 116-115. From left, Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33), Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann (14), Kennard, and Clippers forward Justise Winslow (20). (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
All Tuesday night, social media lampooned the Washington Wizards' lack of execution in their attempt to foul the Los Angeles Clippers before Luke Kennard converted a four-point play at the buzzer for the win.
One problem: The Wizards actually did execute their attempted foul.
The NBA released its Last Two Minute report for the game Wednesday and said Bradley Beal fouled Kennard prior to him beginning his shot motion and that the shot should not have counted. Kennard should have instead been shooting two free throws, which would have ostensibly locked up the game for the Wizards.
Instead, Beal's foul was called on Kennard's made shot and he went to the free-throw line to cap off one of the more improbable comebacks in recent NBA history. The Clippers trailed by as many as 35 points before roaring back with an 80-point second half to pull off the win.
"I have no words," Beal told reporters after the game. "Besides 'embarrassing.' I was frustrated when I had to go back in. This should have been a game where the starters get their rest. Plain and simple."
The Wizards' loss was their fourth straight and dropped them to 23-25 on the season. It also led to even more speculation about the future of Beal, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
Beal's public admonition of his team's inability to close after the Wizards built a big lead isn't promising, and it's unlikely the NBA's acknowledgment of the missed call will do anything to soothe the frustration.
John Wall Rumors: Clippers, Heat Among Interested Teams If PG Becomes Free Agent
Jan 26, 2022
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 13: John Wall #1 of the Houston Rockets reacts prior to tip-off against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on December 13, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat are both reportedly interested in veteran point guard John Wall should he become a free agent, per NBA reporter Marc Stein (h/t HoopsHype).
Wall, 31, has not appeared in any games for the Houston Rockets this season after reportedly agreeing to sit out while they sought a trade. No trade has materialized to this point, however.
The issue with trading Wall is his contract is massive. He's owed $44.3 million this season and has a player option for $47.4 million next season that he will almost assuredly exercise.
Perhaps in Wall's prime, teams would have considered taking on such a prohibitive salary. But Wall has played in just 113 games over the past five seasons and missed the entirety of the 2019-20 season with a ruptured Achilles.
When he returned for the 2020-21 campaign, he averaged 20.6 points and 6.9 assists per game, shooting 40.4 percent from the field and just 31.7 percent from three. Solid numbers but not the sort of production worthy of his salary.
So the alternative is agreeing to a buyout with the Rockets, though Wall would obviously be leaving a massive amount of money on the table if he went that route.
When Blake Griffin reached a buyout agreement with the Detroit Pistons last season, for instance, he gave up a pretty penny to move on and eventually sign with the Brooklyn Nets:
Sources: Blake Griffin gave back $13.3 million in his buyout with the Pistons. He had $75M on his deal for this season and 2021-22. The six-time All-Star will clear waivers on Sunday and the Brooklyn Nets are the leaders to sign him.
The other option for Wall would be sitting out the remainder of the season, declining his player option and becoming a free agent. But that seems incredibly unlikely—Wall wouldn't get anywhere close to the $47.4 million he's owed on that option. He'd likely be giving up far more money going that route than he would agreeing to a buyout with the Rockets.
As for the Clippers and Heat, Wall would make varying levels of sense for each team. The Clippers have been beset by injuries and are currently without superstars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. At this point, getting any help would make sense for a 24-25 Clippers team looking to stay afloat.
The Heat, on the other hand, are 30-17 and already have veteran Kyle Lowry running the point, though he's shown an ability to play off the ball throughout his career and could theoretically pair with Wall in the backcourt.
That could mean bumping a player like Duncan Robinson to the bench or convincing Wall to run the second unit as the backup point guard. It would be another compromise for Wall, who would likely also be eating a big chunk of money in a buyout.
For the chance to get back on the court with a contender, however, it might be a sacrifice worth making.
Clippers Overcome 35-Point Deficit to Beat Wizards Behind Amir Coffey's 29
Jan 26, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 25: Luke Kennard #5 of the LA Clippers shoots a three point basket to win the game against the Washington Wizards on January 25, 2022 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 2022 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images)
A 35-point lead should be safe for any NBA team, let alone one facing a Los Angeles Clippers squad that was missing Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Marcus Morris Sr.
The Washington Wizards missed the memo.
Washington held a 35-point lead in the second quarter and a 30-point lead at halftime of Tuesday's game but ultimately fell to the Clippers in a 116-115 defeat. As if that wasn't bad enough, the Wizards were up by three points in the final seconds only to lose on a four-point play by Luke Kennard, who was fouled by Bradley Beal as he shot a three-pointer:
Kennard stuffed the stat sheet off the bench with 25 points, eight rebounds and six assists, while Amir Coffey led the way for the starting lineup with 29 points, five rebounds and two steals. Isaiah Hartenstein (16 points, six assists and five rebounds) and Terance Mann (16 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals) also played well in supporting roles.
The Clippers needed a win like this after going just 7-13 in the prior 20 games, and they improved to 24-25 on the campaign.
As for the Wizards, Beal finished with 23 points, nine rebounds and six assists as one of seven players in double figures. However, that balanced offensive attack was not enough to make up for the defensive mistakes in the second half.
Los Angeles poured in 80 points after halftime, and David Aldridge of The Athletic did not hold back when assessing the performance for the home team:
The most pathetic performance I’ve seen in almost 40 years of being around and covering this basketball team.
The 23-25 Wizards are trending in the wrong direction with a fourth consecutive loss, all of which saw the opponent score at least 109 points. Jayson Tatum just exposed Washington's defense for 51 points in Sunday's contest, and there was no bounce-back effort this time out.
"You would think as a collective group we would have our roles figured out, but we don't," Kyle Kuzma told reporters after the loss.
Head coach Wes Unseld Jr. also addressed the shocking defeat:
Washington is now tied with the New York Knicks for the No. 10 spot in the Eastern Conference standings, which is critical this season with the play-in tournament in place for the Nos. 7-10 seeds.
The Clippers are ninth in the Western Conference despite being below .500.
Paul George Rumors: 'Surgery Is a Real Option' for Clippers' Injured Star
Jan 25, 2022
Paul George, base de los Clippers de Los Ángeles, dispara durante un partido ante los Kings de Sacramento, el miércoles 22 de diciembre de 2021 (AP Foto/José Luis Villegas)
Surgery reportedly remains an option for Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George as he tries to recover from a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported the update Tuesday on The Hoop Collective podcast (55-minute mark).
"It's almost like I'm waiting for bad news on Paul George because they just, you know—it sounds like surgery is a real option there, and if he has that, he's done for the year," Windhorst said.
The 31-year-old has been limited by the torn UCL in his right elbow for much of the 2021-22 season. He first suffered the elbow injury on Dec. 6 and missed five games before he returned two weeks later. He lasted just two games before going out again with the injury.
Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer reported on Jan. 12 that it was a possibility George could miss the remainder of the season: "While the team's initial announcement on Christmas Day stated George would be re-evaluated in 3-4 weeks, the Clippers are operating under the possibility that George may not return this season, sources told B/R."
An update on Jan. 18 stated George would rest several more weeks before being reevaluated, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The absence has hurt the Clippers, as the team is already short-handed while Kawhi Leonard works his way back from a torn ACL suffered last postseason.
It puts more pressure on players such as Reggie Jackson and Terance Mann to pick up the scoring slack in Los Angeles.
When healthy, George remains one of the top two-way players in the NBA. He has averaged 24.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game through 26 appearances in 2021-22.
The wing was named third-team All-NBA last season after averaging 23.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists. He also shot 41.1 percent from three-point range while playing elite on-ball defense on the perimeter.
Though often criticized for his playoff performances, George came through with 26.9 points per game while leading the Clippers to the Western Conference Finals.
If he can return to full strength, Los Angeles could again be a contender in the West, but his status for the remainder of the campaign remains uncertain.
Aaron Gordon Hits GW Shot to Lift Nuggets Past Clippers in OT; Nikola Jokic Drops 49
Jan 20, 2022
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 19: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets dunks the ball against the LA Clippers on January 19, 2022 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. 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 2022 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Denver Nuggets are starting to find some consistency.
Denver defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 130-128 in overtime in Wednesday's thrilling Western Conference showdown at Ball Arena. Nikola Jokic was brilliant and led the way for the victors, who improved to 23-20 overall and 5-2 in their last seven games even though they continue to play without Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.
The reigning MVP was unstoppable in crunch time, but it was his cross-court pass while facing a double team to Aaron Gordon for the winning three in overtime that stood out the most.
Reggie Jackson and Ivica Zubac played well in defeat for the Clippers, who dropped to 22-24 as they attempt to tread water without Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
The realistic goal at this point for the Nuggets, who entered play sixth in the Western Conference, is to avoid the play-in tournament and hope to get healthier for the postseason. That likely will mean Jokic putting the team on his back on a nightly basis as he bolsters his MVP campaign.
He did it again in the first half of Wednesday's game as the only Denver player in double figures by intermission, but the Clippers also made him work for it by swarming him with multiple defenders every time he touched the ball.
His importance was never clearer than when he was on the bench as the Nuggets' bench was thoroughly outplayed in the second quarter when their star was resting. The result was a double-digit halftime deficit for a home team that looked outmatched even with an MVP candidate.
And then Jokic put the team on his back again during a 17-point third quarter that featured the big man stepping beyond the arc, grabbing offensive rebounds, torching single coverage whenever he saw it and then facilitating when the doubles came. It was an absolute clinic, and the Clippers didn't have the star power to counter on the other end.
It wasn't just a one-man show, though, as Gordon hit from the outside and attacked the basket as a go-to option when Jokic was either on the bench or doubled. Monte Morris was also aggressive in the fourth quarter and mixed in some two-man approach with Gordon.
The contributions were critical since Jokic didn't score in the fourth quarter until there were fewer than three minutes remaining. Naturally, crunch time featured nine points and an assist from the three-time All-Star in those final three minutes, although he couldn't hit a contested jumper at the buzzer to avoid overtime.
As if there was ever a doubt, Jokic was in full control in overtime with 11 points in the extra frame. He drove off the bounce like a guard, scored on offensive rebounds multiple times and then dazzled with the final pass.
Reggie Jackson, Ivica Zubac Come Up Just Short
The Clippers surely didn't think they'd be fighting for position in the play-in tournament coming into the season, but that's life without a healthy Leonard and George. Their returns will make them more dangerous come playoff time, but it is a nightly question about who will lead the charge in the meantime.
It turns out it was a little bit from everyone in the early going as 10 Clippers scored on the way to a commanding 12-point halftime lead.
Jackson took control with his outside shooting and ability to get into the lane, while Zubac provided an interior scorer and Serge Ibaka showed toughness on the boards. Five players also scored off the bench, with Brandon Boston Jr. leading the way for the secondary unit with his three-pointers.
Los Angeles seized control with a 21-2 run in the second quarter, as the Nuggets struggled to match its overall depth.
That control slipped away in the third quarter, though, as Jokic took over right as Los Angeles went cold for stretches on the offensive end. Fortunately for the visitors, Eric Bledsoe scored eight points in the final two minutes to keep the game tied heading into the fourth.
Bledsoe's spurt set the stage for Jackson in crunch time. The guard drove right at Jokic multiple times, mixed in some pull-up shots and was a willing passer when Denver started directing more attention at him, including for key triples by Luke Kennard and Boston.
Throw in Zubac carving out position down low and scoring on the blocks, and the Clippers managed to force overtime even with Jokic's incredible showing.
It was more of the same in overtime as Jackson assisted multiple Zubac baskets in an effort to match Jokic.
Los Angeles even got a break when Denver was called for a technical foul when the bench players ran onto the court to celebrate Gordon's triple, but Jackson's final shot came up just short in a back-and-forth thriller.
What's Next?
Both teams are in action Friday when the Nuggets host the Memphis Grizzlies and the Clippers travel to face the Philadelphia 76ers.
