The Knicks are going to keep their No. 4 spot and the home-court advantage that comes with it, but the Los Angeles Clippers are suddenly looking at a less encouraging fate.
Kawhi Leonard missed a 124-117 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on March 10 due to left groin soreness, and he saw just 12 minutes of action in a 118-100 defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday. This time, it was thoracic spasms (which…no, thank you) that knocked him out of action and resulted in him leaving the arena early.
It’s not just Leonard showing signs of late-season wear; questionable tags are popping up all over the place—from Paul George’s left knee knocking him out to James Harden playing through a left shoulder strain.
As a result, the Clips are blowing leads and losing touch with the top three teams in the West. This, after a 26-5 run from Dec. 2 to Feb. 5 had them looking like a real threat to finish first in the conference.
It’s too early to sound the alarm at full volume, but this isn’t what you want to see from a Clippers team whose biggest potential pitfall was always the health of its top players. Leonard showed a level of durability this season he hadn’t touched in years, reaffirming his status as one of the half-dozen best players in the league when healthy.
Now, though, it’s starting to feel like the exact worry that many shared about him and his team is becoming reality.
Defensive uncertainty and all, the fifth-seeded New Orleans Pelicans are piling up wins. The Phoenix Suns, getting healthier at No. 6, are lurking. Even the Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks could make things interesting if L.A. really falls off. Between dangerous pursuers and mounting health concerns, the Clippers’ position among the West’s top four won’t last.
Grant Hughes covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter (@gt_hughes), and subscribe to the Hardwood Knocks podcast, where he appears with Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale.
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