The LA Clippers are coming off two thrilling down to the wire wins against the Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic and they’re looking to keep that streak going against the visiting Phoenix Suns on Monday night. Keep reading for a full preview of the Clippers’ game against the Suns.
Game Information
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
When: 7:30 p.m. PT
How to Watch: Bally Sports SoCal, NBA TV
Projected Starting Lineups
Clippers: Reggie Jackson – Luke Kennard – Terance Mann – Marcus Morris Sr., Ivica Zubac
Suns: Chris Paul – Landry Shamet – Miles Bridges – Jae Crowder – JaVale McGee
Injury Report
Clippers: Paul George doubtful (right elbow), Nicolas Batum questionable (right ankle), Kawhi Leonard (right knee), Jason Preston (right foot).
Suns: Devin Booker out (left hamstring), Deandre Ayton questionable (non-COVID illness), Frank Kaminsky out (knee), Dario Saric out (ACL).
The Big Picture
The Clippers just can’t seem to catch a break with injuries this season. They had just gotten Nicolas Batum back after he cleared health and safety protocols and then lost him again with an ankle injury. Paul George, who has been one of their most durable guys, is out with an elbow sprain.
Despite the absence of two of their top forwards, the Clippers showed a lot of grit and toughness pulling out a pair of close wins in their last two games. With the playoff seeding in the Western Conference really tight and the Clippers schedule only getting tougher as the season goes on, any win right now is big.
One of the ways they’ve been able to win recently is that they’re getting contributions from everyone who’s been in the rotation. Luke Kennard mentioned after the Orlando win that this team has a lot of trust in each other and they all know who is going to bring what on the court.
Against the Celtics, they got a huge offensive and defensive game from Brandon Boston Jr. Against the Magic, it was Justice Winslow pushing the ball in transition, attacking the glass, and moving without the ball to get scoring opportunities.
The usual constants this season such as Reggie Jackson, Ivica Zubac and Luke Kennard have continued to play well and even Eric Bledsoe whose inconsistency had been an issue has started to pick it up a bit. While this team remains shorthanded, it’s going to take team efforts like the last couple of games to pull off wins.
The Antagonist
The Phoenix Suns come to town also shorthanded. What was looking like a big rematch of last season’s Western Conference Finals is now losing its luster. Devin Booker is out indefinitely with a hamstring injury and Deandre Ayton isn’t expected to play due to a non-COVID related illness.
Even so, Chris Paul is still orchestrating the show for the Suns. At 36-years-old, he’s leading the league in assists at 10.2 per game. He remains one of the best point guards in the NBA and a thorn in the Clippers side.
The Suns have also had guys step in the absence of their key players, very similarly to the Clippers. The other night in a win against the Celtics, JaVale McGee put up 21 points and 15 rebounds in place of Ayton. Mikal Bridges is continuing to prove he’s one of the best defensive young wings in the league. Cameron Payne has been one of the better backup guards this season.
Despite being shorthanded, this team still has some pieces in place and is perfectly capable of coming into Staples Center and getting a win.
Notes
- Reggie Jackson’s minutes are going to be something to keep an eye on. He’s been asked to do a lot in the absence of George and to his credit he’s done an admirable job. The Clippers needed every one of his 25 points on Saturday afternoon and he closed the game out, scoring or assisting on every Clipper basket from the 3:45 mark to the final score including the game-winner. By Ty Lue’s own admittance, Jackson is a little bit fatigued. He’s the Clippers current best option by far as the floor leader and they have to find some way to keep him fresh and not burn him out so early in the season.
That about does it for this preview of the Clippers’ rematch against the Suns. Leave your comments below!