Kawhi Leonard had 14 points and seven rebounds in his first game in 16 months, and the Los Angeles Clippers opened a season of sky-high expectations with a 103-97 victory over the Lakers on Thursday night.
After making just 10-of-40 three-pointers in their regular season opener on Tuesday, the Lakers were even worse on Thursday, hitting 9-of-45 in a loss to the Clippers. LeBron James, who acknowledged the team’s lack of “lasers” following Tuesday’s loss, didn’t want to focus on that roster hole again on Thursday.
The Clippers are looking deep
The Clippers have already been impacted by Leonard’s bench status in various ways. Additionally, it can encourage his teammates to accept shifting positions as well. 11 players saw action against the Lakers on Thursday night, and that might become standard.
The Clippers, in Charles Barkley’s opinion, have an abundance of skill and will be among the best in the Western Conference.
We have 11–12 players who deserve to play, according to Lue. It’s a good circumstance. It’s a difficult circumstance as well. My boys are aware that it’s not about them.
The starting point guard remains fluid, as Lue started Reggie Jackson over John Wall on Thursday. Jackson has more familiarity with the Clippers’ offense, while Wall is getting his first game action in nearly four seasons after dealing with a myriad of injuries.
Jackson had eight points and four assists in 23 minutes. Wall had 15 points and three assists in 25 minutes.
Leonard is back
Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers medical staff decided he should begin 2022–23 as a reserve after Leonard missed the 2021–22 season due to an ACL injury.
The starting lineup can be filled by players on our club, according to Leonard. The only thing that matters to me right now is getting consistent minutes, recovering, and long-term health.
In his first game since 2021, Kawhi Leonard helped the Clippers defeat the Lakers in their season opening by scoring 14 points off the bench.
Leonard played 21 minutes off the bench and finished with 14 points (6-for-12 overall, 1-for-4 on three-pointers) and seven rebounds. Tyronn Lue, the Clippers coach, called Leonard’s play “excellent,” but added that Leonard “got fatigued in patches.”
After entering the game with 6:25 left in the second quarter, Leonard showed flashes of his old self in the post on consecutive possessions. But the Clippers held only a 56-54 halftime lead after the Lakers went on an 18-4 run once Leonard entered the game.
The Clippers were better in Leonard’s other stints, opening the third quarter with an 18-9 run when Leonard played until he sat for the final 5:01. When Leonard closed out the final 8:01 of the fourth quarter, the Clippers outscored the Lakers 14-10.
The Clippers had Leonard play with the reserves in two scrimmages last week and he calculated this would ensure he could play crunch-time minutes. But that required him waiting 1 1/2 quarters before entering the game.
Lebron downplays Lakers’s shooting
“We’re not a team that’s composed of excellent shooting,” LeBron James remarked after the club’s loss to Golden State in the season opener. James declared following Thursday’s defeat that he would not be asking the front staff to alter the lineup.
The Lakers’ problems are discussed by Charles, Shaq, and Kenny, along with what needs to be done to turn the team around.
“Our ball club is our ball club. I’m not going to sit here and complain about what we can’t do in every game, James declared. “That’s not leading, is it? I am certain that we can defend.
The Lakers forced 21 turnovers and collected 12 steals against the Clippers. They are encouraged by those numbers, more so than they are concerned about their 3-point shooting (9-for-45 Thursday).
“I love the way we’re playing basketball right now,” James said. “We’re sharing the ball offensively. We’re moving bodies. We’ll begin to knock down shots.”
They haven’t yet. After going 10-for-40 from deep against Golden State, Westbrook (0-11 FGs, 0-6 3-pt FG), Patrick Beverley (1-7 FG, 1-6 3-pt FG) and Kendrick Nunn (0-7 FG, 0-4 3-pt FG) all shot poorly Thursday against the Clippers.
“We’ve all had bad shooting nights,” James said. “I’ve had bad shooting nights. Every person in this league had bad shooting nights. Who cares. [Westbrook] played a great game. Defensively, he was in tune and locked in. He just didn’t make any shots.
Westbrook starts again
Lakers coach Darvin Ham said he had a “brief discussion” with Russell Westbrook after Westbrook said Tuesday that his bench role in the preseason finale “absolutely” contributed to his hamstring injury.
“The Lakers, myself and my staff in no way shape or form will ever put anybody — a player or employee — in harm’s way physically, mentally or spiritually,” Ham said. “We don’t stand for that. We’re not about that. That’s not who we are.”
Westbrook started once again on Thursday, finishing with two points (0-for-11 shooting). He described his play as “solid” after also collecting five steals, including forcing two turnovers while defending Leonard in the post in crunch time.
Ham said he and Westbrook “moved on” following their discussion. Westbrook says his communication with Ham “has been good.”
Nonetheless, this topic could be an issue throughout the season. Although Ham wants a definitive starting lineup, he plans to keep his options open to account for player performances and injuries. Westbrook started 78 games last season under coach Frank Vogel.
“My staff and I are going to do what’s best for our team to be as successful as we can,” Ham said. “You have to be prepared to do whatever your team needs to do. However we choose to use him, there has to be a willingness there to sacrifice for your teammates for the good of the team.”
Davis takes a spill
Anthony Davis took a hard fall after contesting a Leonard shot with 9:18 left in the third quarter, but was on his feet within moments, and walked without assistance.
He finished with 25 points while shooting well from the field (9-for-16), from beyond the arc (2-for-4) and at the free-throw line (5-for-7).
“We’ll see how it is,” Davis said afterwards. “But I’m pretty sure it’ll be all right.”
