The Kawhi Leonard-less Los Angeles Clippers snatched a five-point victory over the Golden State Warriors at Intuit Dome on Sunday night.
Both teams will meet again in two nights in a single-elimination play-in game.
Plenty of storylines will gobble up this matchup.
Both the Clippers and Warriors are watching their best players fight some physical discomfort; Leonard is battling wrist and ankle injuries while Steph Curry is still working his way back from runner’s knee, which kept him out 27 consecutive games.
When it’s all said and done and a winner is crowned Wednesday, it may have been the team whose best player was healthier.
L.A. and Golden State have seen turbulent seasons. The Warriors have been ravaged by injuries to multiple key players throughout the season, while the Clippers got off to a hideous 6-21 start and before generating much more momentum.
In the end, both clubs are in the play-in tournament, where few expected them to end up before the season.
Kawhi Leonard Injury Could Be Major Factor in Play-In Game
Whereas Curry is getting progressively up to speed, Leonard is battling nagging injuries. They may not be anything major — Leonard is expected to play after resting last night to better prepare himself for the play-in game — but enough to tilt the tide in the opposing team’s favor.
Before the Clippers secured a 115-110 victory Sunday, head coach Tyronn Lue explained why Leonard was ruled out of the game and provided an update on the 34-year-old star’s status ahead of Wednesday’s showdown.
“He’s been dealing with some things the last couple weeks with his wrist and with his ankle,” Lue said, “so we just thought it would be smart just to get him as close to 100% as we can get him.”
Leonard has prioritized rest and recovery throughout his career, something he has even been notoriously criticized for. Many point to the Clippers star as the “load management” poster boy.
To ensure he felt better for the play-in game, Leonard chose to sit out Sunday. That decision could be beneficial in multiple ways.
L.A. showed it can still beat Golden State without its best player, and with Leonard not playing last night, it naturally makes it harder for the Warriors to gameplan for a Clippers team with Leonard.
Both teams have two nights to prepare for each other.
Who Comes Out in the Battle of Attrition?
Leonard may not be 100% by Wednesday, Curry is still not back to full speed — so who has the edge in the single-elimation game?
Golden State has degenerated into Curry or bust. While the team has capable contributors in Kristaps Porzingis, Draymond Green and the rising Brandin Podziemski, the Warriors have been a disconnected bunch all season. Porzingis was acquired midseason and is still learning the team’s playbook, not to mention the minimal reps he and Curry have shared.
Meanwhile, the Clippers would’ve been much higher in the standings had it not been for the poor start. Ever since, L.A. has looked much closer to a candidate for a deep playoff run than a play-in team.
Considering the Clippers also have homecourt, they are in a solid spot to win Wednesday and continue their season.
Curry and co. will have a busy offseason if they even survive two play-in games. It is only a matter of time for the Warriors.
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