Without Kawhi Leonard, Clippers end trip on disappointing note
Broderick Turner April 2, 2024
Even with leading man Kawhi Leonard out with a sore right knee, the Clippers still clung to their goal.
And that was to finish their four-game trip in the right fashion with a win in Sacramento while Leonard was in Los Angeles getting treatment on his knee.
But it was not to be for the Clippers, the pop just not there, the shots failing to go in the basket when it mattered the most, the 26-point deficit they found themselves under in the fourth quarter too much to overcome during a 109-95 loss to
beating by
the Kings on Tuesday night at Golden 1 Center.
More so, Kings center Domantas Sabonis was a force the Clippers couldnt stop, his all-around play leaving him one assist from a triple-double with 22 points, 20 rebounds and nine assists.
The Clippers were outrebounded 56-38.
They gave up 38 offensive rebounds.
Russell Westbrook led the Clippers with 20 points.
The Clippers had won the first three games on the four-game trip that covered eight days, winning at Philadelphia, Orlando and Charlotte.
They have seven regular-season games left two sets of back-to-backs over 12 days.
The hope is that the Clippers are whole and playing their best basketball heading into the playoffs.
So, Clippers coach Ty Lue said before the Kings game, sending Leonard back to L.A. Monday to get treatment on his knee was the best thing to do.
He went back to L.A. [because there are] better resources as far as treatment and everything like that, Lue said. So, he went back yesterday when we landed [here in Sacramento].
Leonard, who is averaging 23.7 points per game on 52.5% shooting and 41.7% on threes, missed just his eighth game of the season.
Lue said they hope Leonard can return to play Thursday when the Clippers meet the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena.
Were not sure right now, Lue said. But thats what we are leaning to, thats what were hopeful, that he can be back by Thursday, but not sure yet.
Norman Powell, one of the NBAs top sixth men who averages 14.0 points per game, started in place of Leonard against the Kings.
