All attention will be on the player-availability report when the Los Angeles Clippers host the Golden State Warriors on Friday in Inglewood, Calif.
While the Clippers are getting closer to the season debut of Kawhi Leonard, the Warriors are considering giving Stephen Curry a rest on the first night of a back-to-back, which includes a home game against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday.
Leonard has not played this season due to a chronic knee issue, but he returned to contact practices before the Clippers went on a three-game road trip last week. Head coach Tyronn Lue stated that Leonard needs to participate in full practices before the team will consider his return.
The Clippers have won three of their last four games, marking another high point in a season full of ups and downs. One of their most impressive wins came on Monday, when they defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 114-110 on the road.
Norman Powell had a strong game, scoring 29 points and making 4 of 8 three-pointers. James Harden contributed 21 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds, playing a key point guard role. Ivica Zubac dominated inside with 20 points, 19 rebounds, and four steals.
“Everybody’s involved,” Lue said. “It’s not coaches and players. We’re all on the same team and that’s how we treat each other. It’s not this side and that side. We’re all together. We win together, we lose together, we make mistakes together. That’s who we are.”
The Clippers’ teamwork has been crucial to their success on defense, which was evident in their ability to hold Memphis to 20 points in the fourth quarter. Memphis, which averages the most points in the NBA at 122.7 per game, was limited well below their usual scoring.
“To hold them to 110 on their home floor says a lot about what we’re doing defensively,” Lue said.
On Christmas Day, Curry nearly led the Warriors to a comeback win by scoring eight points in the final 25.7 seconds, including two three-pointers in the last 12.9 seconds. However, the Warriors couldn’t overcome a 109-100 deficit with 1:30 left, despite Curry tying the game with a three-pointer at 7.6 seconds.
Curry finished with 38 points in what head coach Steve Kerr called a “hard” 36 minutes. Andrew Wiggins added 21 points and 12 rebounds.
Before the game, Curry held a players-only meeting to emphasize the importance of the upcoming stretch of games. Despite the loss, the message seemed to have been heard, with Curry leading by example.
“We’re right in that window where we can still regain some momentum for the next however many weeks before the (All-Star) break,” Curry said. “Or else we’re in a situation where we’re chasing down the stretch and nobody wants to be there.”
Although Golden State showed effort on Wednesday, the reality is they have lost five of their last six games.
“We had a great vibe early in the season and we’re going through it right now, but I love our guys,” Kerr said. “High-character guys. They care.”
