Dec 23, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell (24) drives to the basket in the course of the third quarter towards the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Obligatory Credit score: Petre Thomas-Imagn Photos Participant availability is the principle speaking level because the Los Angeles Clippers face the Golden State Warriors on Friday at Inglewood, Calif.
Whereas the Clippers are shifting nearer to the season debut of Kawhi Leonard, the Warriors will give a day of relaxation to Stephen Curry on the primary night time of a back-to-back set. Golden State returns residence to satisfy the Phoenix Suns on Saturday.
Golden State additionally shall be with out Gary Payton II (left calf pressure), whereas Draymond Inexperienced was listed as questionable (left decrease again contusion).
Leonard, who’s working his means again from a power knee challenge, will not play on Friday. He did return to contact practices earlier than the Clippers departed for a three-game street journey final week.
The Clippers have gained three of their previous 4 video games to signify one other excessive level in an up-and-down season. Considered one of their most spectacular victories occurred Monday, 114-110 on the street towards the Memphis Grizzlies.
Norman Powell continues to look snug in a leading-scorer position with 29 factors, whereas going 4 of 8 from 3-point vary. James Harden had 21 factors, 9 assists and eight rebounds in his do-everything point-guard position. Ivica Zubac managed the within with 20 factors and 19 rebounds and added 4 steals.
“All people’s concerned,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue stated. “It is not coaches and gamers. We’re all on the identical staff and that is how we deal with one another. It is not this facet and that facet. We’re all collectively. We win collectively, we lose collectively, we make errors collectively. That is who we’re.”
Staying a collective unit has helped the Clippers to excel on protection and that got here to the forefront by holding the Grizzlies to twenty factors within the fourth quarter. Memphis was effectively underneath its NBA-best 122.7 factors per sport.
“To carry them to 110 on their residence ground says quite a bit about what we’re doing defensively,” Lue stated.
Curry practically pulled off an unlikely comeback for the Warriors on Christmas Day when he scored eight factors within the ultimate 25.7 seconds and made a pair of 3-pointers within the ultimate 12.9 seconds. However Golden State couldn’t overcome a 109-100 deficit with 1:30 to play regardless of Curry tying the sport on a 3-pointer with 7.6 seconds left.
Curry scored 38 factors in what head coach Steve Kerr stated was a “arduous” 36 minutes. Andrew Wiggins scored 21 factors with 12 rebounds.
Earlier than the sport, Curry carried out a players-initiated assembly that confused the urgency wanted within the upcoming portion of the schedule. Even in defeat, the message appeared to be acquired, with Curry main by instance.
“We’re proper in that window the place we are able to nonetheless regain some momentum for the subsequent nonetheless many weeks earlier than the (All-Star) break,” Curry stated. “Or else we’re in a state of affairs the place we’re chasing down the stretch and no person needs to be there.”
Whereas Golden State did put forth a successful effort Wednesday, the truth is that the staff has dropped 5 of its final six video games.
“We had an amazing vibe early within the season and we’re going by means of it proper now, however I like our guys,” Kerr stated. “Excessive-character guys. They care.”
–Area Degree Media
