The LA Clippers received some unfortunate news when it was announced that Paul George has entered health and safety protocols on the day of their do-or-die play-in game. They will have to face the New Orleans Pelicans without him.
This is a huge blow for the Clippers, who have looked entirely different since George has returned to the team. The seven-time All-Star has been the team's leading scorer at 24.3 points per game and was sure to be the focal point of the offense tonight. With no time to feel sorry for themselves, the Clippers will have to find a way to overcome this tough break and keep their season alive without PG13.
3 Clippers who must step up in Paul George's absence
The ceiling of the Clippers team has been raised a great deal after the return of George, but it is not to say they were a struggling team before. With George recovering from a torn UCL for most of the season, it was Reggie Jackson who stepped up as the focal point of the team.
Jackson has had a career revival in Los Angeles. The 6-foot-22 guard is averaging 16.8 points and 4.8 assists per game, which are his best numbers in several years. Jackson has had no problem taking the spotlight during the regular season while George remained out, but he will have to prove this in tonight's matchup. The Boston College product shot just seven for 18 from the field in the matchup with the Timberwolves, so an improved shooting performance will be necessary to secure the win tonight.
After being traded from the Portland Trail Blazers to the Clippers this season, Norman Powell has teased exciting potential as a bench scorer. The journeyman played in just five games in the regular season but scored 20 or more points in three of those five games. Powell finished off the season with consecutive 20-point and 24-point performances and used them to propel him into the postseason.
The University of California product led the Clippers in bench minutes in the matchup with the Timberwolves. He appears to be the most likely candidate to fill George's spot in the starting lineup for the matchup tonight. Powell was solid in the Timberwolves game and added 16 points in 27 minutes, but the Clippers will need even more from him tonight.
Nicolas Batum
The 33-year-old veteran is an ideal complementary piece in the Clippers' starting lineup. For the most part, Nicolas Batum is content to sit in the corner and space the floor. He allows the game to come to him and is not overly ball dominant.
Even so, Batum is a 40 percent three-point shooter on the season and averages 8.3 points per game. With George out, Batum must be more aggressive in seeking his own shot. The Clippers will be greatly missing the shot creation of George and must make up for this with increased three-point shooting. Batum is a prime candidate to step up in this role. Look for the veteran to knock down more than his average of 1.8 made threes per game.
The news that Paul George cannot play is incredibly disappointing. It is a brutal blow for the Clippers but not one they cannot overcome. LA will need its supporting cast to step up in the absence of their All-Star and will hope to extend the season until he is able to return. Nicolas Batum, Norman Powell, and Reggie Jackson have what it takes to keep LA's season going.
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