The Clippers take on Nikola Jokic and the first-seed Denver Nuggets without the presence of Kawhi Leonard. It could be a long night.
Game Information
Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
When: 7:00 PM PT
How to Watch: TNT, TruTV, AM 570
Tickets: For great deals on Clippers tickets, check out Barry’s Tickets!
Projected Starting Lineups
Nuggets: Reggie Jackson – Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – Michael Porter Jr. – Aaron Gordon – Nikola Jokic
Clippers: James Harden – Norm Powell – Terance Mann – Paul George – Ivica Zubac
Injuries
Nuggets: Jamal Murray Questionable (Knee), Aaron Gordon Foot (Probable), Nikola Jokic Wrist (Probable), Zeke Nnaji Doubtful (Thigh)
Clippers: Kawhi Leonard Out (Knee)
The Big Picture
The biggest concern with the Clippers now is Kawhi Leonard’s health. The superstar forward was ruled out a whole day in advance of this game – not a great sign for his availability. There’s been no update or reporting on what the injury is, which could be a good or bad thing. Regardless, if the Clippers want to do literally anything in the playoffs outside of get annihilated in the first round, they need a healthy Kawhi. They can probably even limp into the playoffs without him (those two Jazz games and probably the Rockets game will be gimmes), but none of that matters if Kawhi isn’t available. They are dead on arrival without Kawhi, who is their leading scorer and best defensive player. Hopefully he’s ok, and this is all just precautionary.
The Antagonist
The Nuggets are dealing with their own star injury with Jamal Murray, but he seems to be close to returning. And while they can’t win a championship without him, the Nuggets are a threat to win every night that Nikola Jokic is available. The big Serbian is the clear frontrunner for his third MVP in four years, which would put him in ridiculously exclusive company. The Nuggets’ supporting cast has been mostly solid, though their bench can look wobbly on the wrong nights. But pair Jokic with the shooting of KCP and Porter and Gordon’s defense and you have a very good team, even without Murray. This will be a tough one for the Clippers without Kawhi, even if they play well. If they don’t, they could get run off the court.
Notes
PJ Tucker Time?: I’m not advocating for it, really, but I do wonder if PJ Tucker gets a look in this one with Kawhi out. The Clippers would be very small against a big Nuggets team if they start Norm Powell, and PJ is their only other real forward option (since Kobe Brown is apparently excommunicated). The best way to guard Jokic is also to put a decently-sized, stout, non-center on him and then bring the center over to help by moving off Aaron Gordon. With Kawhi out, the only guy that remotely fits that bill is PJ. Now, his lack of offense is probably death against the Nuggets even without Murray, but it might be worth a shot to roll with him. Also, if he starts, Norm can return to his usual bench role, and we don’t have to see any Brandon Boston Jr. minutes.
Attacking Reggie: Look, I still have a lot of fondness for Reggie Jackson. And, despite his flaws, he’s helped the Nuggets a lot this year. But if there’s anyone to attack of the Nuggets’ main players, it’s Reggie. He will presumably be stashed on Terance Mann, but the Clippers need to try to get him matched onto Harden or PG, who should be able to bully and/or shoot over the top of him. The Nuggets can always go to Peyton Watson or Christian Braun, but that really hurts their offense. I’d like to see the Clippers really go after the opposing players’ weak link on defense, as it’s something it feels like they rarely do.
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