Clippers coach Tyronn Lue has decided on his fifth starter if Kawhi Leonard isn’t available for Sunday’s series opener against Dallas, according to Janis Carr of The Orange County Register. Lue didn’t reveal the name, but Carr speculates it will be Amir Coffey, who started 13 games this season, often as Leonard’s replacement.
Leonard is still officially listed as questionable with inflammation in his right knee that has sidelined him since March 31. He was expected to take part in shooting drills at today’s practice with more movement than he did on Friday, but he still hasn’t participated in anything involving full contact since the knee began flaring up.
Lue said he’s not counting on any one player to slow down the high-powered Mavericks’ attack led by Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
“It’s on all of us. It’s not just one player or two players, it’s all of us collectively doing our jobs and doing it the best we can do,” Lue said. “It’s not on one or two guys, it’s on everybody to produce, as well as me and the coaching staff.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- Paul George believes bad injury luck has prevented the Clippers from reaching their potential in the playoffs, Carr adds. George is making his return to the postseason after missing last season’s series with Phoenix due to a sprained knee. “Injuries happen. That’s part of the game (and there’s) no way of really avoiding it,” he said. “So, as much as chemistry and being on the floor together and playing the best basketball you could possibly play at this point of the season, a lot of it has to do with luck, too.”
- X-rays were negative for Suns guard Grayson Allen, who left today’s game with an ankle injury, tweets Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports. Coach Frank Vogel told reporters that Allen has been diagnosed with a sprain. His availability for Tuesday’s Game 2 will depend on how he responds to treatment.
- The Warriors will need to be aggressive on the trade market to have another chance at a title during the Stephen Curry era, writes Ron Kroichick of The San Francisco Chronicle. Kroichick suggests making a run at Karl-Anthony Towns if the Timberwolves are knocked out of the playoffs early or possibly Dejounte Murray if the Hawks decide to break up their backcourt. He lists Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant, Pacers forward Pascal Siakam and Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram as others who might be obtainable.
Yes
I want the Warriors to trade away 11 players except Curry, Pod, Davis and Quinones
I want to get rid of Klay and Draymond for the purpose of making playoffs next year
Trey Murphy is better than any of the Warriors youth
Even bench guy Jose Alvarado is beter than any of Warriors Youth
Pelicans have Zion and Ingram, scary!
In order to make playoffs, a west team needs to defeat Pelicans
…they don’t have Zion most of the time
Zion played 70 out of 82 games this season, that’s most of the time.
I hate the Warriors but they played their best ball after Green came back and played cool. Still am impact player when he’s on the court. Thompson can walk, he’s asking for too much. Play Kuminga.
George says the Clippers had bad injury luck? It’s not bad luck when you are team that old and have Kawhi ‘fine china’ Leonard on your team. They’ll never get anywhere with that lineup.
Well, they got to the playoffs. Which is more than the warriors can say…
Its going to be a very long off season for warrior fans with all these supposed experts claiming the warriors will pick up this player of that player. the new CBA makes it very hard for the warriors to pick up any new player or sign anyone. KAT is not coming to the warriors. Grant has almost $30 million so how do they fit him in unless Wiggins goes to Portland. Siakam is a FA so no chance of signing him. Ingram is another big contract so why would Pelicans take Wiggins and Looney for him? Muarry is the only one that they could trade for but would cost them Wiggins, Moody and a 1st rounder.
I would GLADLY give you Wiggins Moody and a first round pick from Murray. I’d do it in a hot second.
You’re stuck with three more years of wiggins, Moody is so-so, will he turn the corner and become great? And a first round pick…, some say you need to attach to Wiggins cuz he’s a negative asset lol.
I would do that trade yesterday. Murray is a fantastic player and would move Steph off the ball to help reduce his wear and tear.
Still have green Kuminga Davis Looney Payton. That would be an amazing amazing opportunity.
I have seen online since they lost in the play in every name attached to the warriors and most of them are way out of warriors price range. There is no way CP3 is coming back even with Kerr saying he wants him back. Wiggins will be hard to trade unless you add somebody like Moody onto the deal and probably a draft pick.
This last season was a get rid of bad contract season. Myers left the Warriors hands tied with no money for free agents. As for free agents not much is out there. Most of all bring in a new defensive coach.
Contrary to what fans think Wiggins and especially Green have good trade value. Contender will pay a premium for Green. They both have reasonable contracts. They both must be traded this offseason along with Curry. Most Warriors gams are afraid to admit this but it’s our LAST opportunity to get amazing assets for Curry. Let’s not make ANOTHER mistake or else we will be the worst of the worst team. Nostalgia? We can build individual statues, and trio statues, and we cam all hire them together in fromt office, ambassadors, or whatever. For now, let’s all ship them out and rebuild, NOT put a team together for another PLAY-IN Team.
You can’t trade Curry this summer he means billions to the Golden State Warriors right now. Even if you get a truckload for him the return would be lopsided in the negative.
Wiggins was just given the 4 th worst contract on Bill Simmons show in the entire Nba and the 5 th worst by spotracs Kieth Smith in an article a week later ( a guy whoes sole job is analyzing Nba contracts )
Seems you are the contrary here Michol
Contrary sure, and that’s okay. Perhaps a team will take a chance on Wiggins because it’s tough to bring in outside free agents? Attach something and it’s done.
Plus the numbers and the experts are one thing and someone’s opinion is another. And that’s fine too. Nothing wrong with either.
I think someone will want 17 points a game and good Defender and decent 3-year contract if you’re the mid-tier teams. Who else is out there really. Warriors are asking that question too. Who’s out there to make us better?
He’s still in his 20s and was the Warriors 2nd best player in their title run 2 years ago and only getting paid $25-27m/yr for 3 years. And he was an All Star starter 2 yrs ago …
I think he would be a perfect fit for Kings because Mike Brown knows how to push and motivate Wiggins.