Melissa Rohl
FOX Sports activities NBA Author
Are the LA Clippers a workforce to be careful for within the playoffs?
For a lot of the season, the Clippers have flown under-the-radar, with Kawhi Leonard not enjoying till Jan. 4 due to a proper knee harm.
However Leonard is now trying like himself. And the Clippers had received eight of their final 9 video games earlier than falling to the NBA-leading Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder on Sunday, 103-101.
Over their latest winning-streak, the Clippers beat a number of the high groups within the East, together with Cleveland, New York and Detroit. Of their win over Cleveland on March 18, Leonard had 33 factors on 12-for-19 capturing (5-for-6 from 3), seven rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals.
“That is classic Kawhi,” Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson stated after the sport.
If Leonard can stay unhurt, him, James Harden and Norman Powell may very well be a really powerful trio come playoff-time.
Ever since reaching the Western Convention Finals for the primary time in franchise historical past in 2021, the Clippers missed the playoffs altogether in 2022 and didn’t get previous the primary spherical in 2023 and 2024 amid a string of accidents to each Leonard and Paul George.
With the Clippers shedding Paul George in free company final summer time and Leonard lacking a lot time this season, it appeared as if this could be yet one more disappointing season for the Clippers.
However Harden, who was named an All-Star in February, is averaging his most factors (22.5) since 2021-22. And Powell is undeniably within the dialog for the very best third-option within the league whereas averaging a career-high 22.7 factors.
With Leonard’s two-way talents now within the combine, the Clippers are a tricky workforce. Leonard had his three highest-scoring video games this season in March and appears to be peaking on the proper time.
Which means the Clippers are hovering, too.
Up to now in March, the Clippers are fifth within the league in offensive score (121.1) and eighth in defensive score (111.6).
If they’ll stay unhurt, this can be a workforce that may’t be ignored.
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Melissa Rohlin is an NBA author for FOX Sports activities. She beforehand coated the league for Sports activities Illustrated, the Los Angeles Instances, the Bay Space Information Group and the San Antonio Specific-Information. Observe her on Twitter @melissarohl.
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