The Los Angeles Clippers have suffered several setbacks in recent years, with injuries to star players Kawhi Leonard and Paul George causing significant disruptions to the team’s performance. Despite this, the Clippers remain committed to their long-term championship aspirations with the dynamic duo.
Mark Medina of Sportsnaut reports that the Clippers are unwavering in their commitment to retaining Leonard and George, despite their injury histories. The team’s management is confident that the players’ injuries are manageable, and they will remain key figures in the Clippers’ pursuit of an NBA championship.
George missed the entire first-round series against the Phoenix Suns due to a knee sprain, while Leonard sat out the rest of the Clippers’ playoff run after playing just two games due to a torn meniscus. These injuries highlight the significant risks that the Clippers face with these two stars on their roster.
Nevertheless, the Clippers are committed to retaining Leonard and George. Both players are under contract through 2023-24, with options for 2024-25 that they can decline to become unrestricted free agents. The Clippers understand that Leonard and George’s health is paramount to their long-term success and are willing to invest in them accordingly.
Despite the injury risks, the Clippers have achieved significant success with Leonard and George in their lineup. They reached the Western Conference Semifinals in 2020 and the West Conference Finals in 2021. The two players have been crucial to the team’s success, with Leonard averaging 25.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, and George posting 23.2 points and 6.3 rebounds.
The Clippers have faith in the duo’s ability to lead them to an NBA championship, and they are willing to take on the injury risks to achieve that goal. According to StatMuse, the Clippers have a 70.3% win rate when Leonard and George play together, a testament to their ability to make a significant impact on the team’s performance.
In conclusion, despite their injury risks, the Clippers believe in the long-term championship aspirations with Leonard and George on their roster. The team’s management understands the significance of these two players and will continue to invest in them accordingly to achieve their championship goals.
I'm told Clippers remain committed to Kawhi Leonard & Paul George despite their extensive injury history. More details here on @Sportsnaut: https://t.co/UG9xTpnCvt pic.twitter.com/6Jjo76CQbe
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) April 26, 2023
LA Clippers out of NBA Playoff Contention as Injuries Haunt Star Players Leonard and George
Despite their best efforts to manage the workload of star forwards Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the LA Clippers have been unable to keep them on the court consistently. Leonard played in just 52 regular-season games and the first two playoff games before succumbing to a torn meniscus. George, on the other hand, missed the entire first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns due to a knee injury.
Despite these injury concerns, the Clippers remain committed to keeping both players long-term, according to insider sources. However, both Leonard and George have player options for the 2024-25 season, which could make them unrestricted free agents after the 2023-24 season.
At ages 32 and 33, respectively, the clock is ticking for the star duo, and the Clippers will need to make a decision about their long-term future. The team’s playoff hopes for this season came to an end in a Game 5 defeat against the Suns, marking the second consecutive season in which they have failed to advance past the conference finals.
