The favored Phoenix Suns ousted the Los Angeles Clippers 136-130 in Game 5 of their opening round NBA playoff series, winning 4-1. Now begins another long summer of disappointment for the Clippers and their fans.
The Clippers lost without their best players on the court.
The Clips’ knew going into the series against the Suns that Paul George (knee) wouldn’t play in the series. To make things worse, Kahwi Leonard missed the final three playoff games (all losses) because of a knee injury.
It’s worth noting that both players are signed through 2025. It’s worth mentioning that when healthy, these two players can carry a team.
Therein lies the problem. Very seldom are they healthy and it’s rare when they’re healthy at the same time. Consider this tweet:
— Ray Moose (@Lasix40mgIV) April 25, 2023
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is one of the richest men in the world. He has no problem writing a check(s) for $484 million. Still, it must hurt. And now the question begs to be asked. Is it time to break up the talented but injury prone duo of Leonard/George?
Painful reminder of past injuries
The injury has brought back memories of the 2021 playoffs, when Leonard missed the last eight games with a knee injury and the Clippers were eliminated by the Suns. He ended up needing ACL surgery that cost him the entire 2021-22 campaign.
Was he really hurt or is this the Clippers load management:
Leonard and the Clippers had been conservative with his playing time all season long in hopes of keeping him healthy and at his best for the postseason. Sadly, things didn’t go as planned for Kawhi and the Clips.
While Leonard himself was great during his two games against the Suns (34.5 ppg.), he missed the last three games with a knee injury. Amid accusations of load management and some in the media questioning his commitment to playing, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue shot down all the narratives in a Tuesday press conference:
Tyronn Lue on Kawhi Leonard:
“He's definitely hurt. It's not load management where he's taking time off. He's shown in his past that he's played through injuries in the playoffs. If it's something he can't play through, then it has to be pretty serious."pic.twitter.com/kxz52caOcK
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) April 24, 2023
Is Kahwi a bad investment?
The truth is when it comes to the NBA, Los Angeles was, is and always will be the Lakers town. Give Ballmer credit for trying to turn that around. But at least one national sports talk host thinks it’s time for the Clippers owner to cut his losses and move on from Leonard:
"I applaud the big swing by the Clippers… But don't double down on it."
— @ColinCowherd says why it's time to move off Kawhi Leonard pic.twitter.com/lCZ4phSeI7
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) April 24, 2023
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