The LA Clippers did not have to wait long to see just what newest acquisition Norman Powell and Robert Covington can do. The duo came off the bench in their Clipper debuts Sunday in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Now, at least one will his first start.
Norman Powell, who scored 28 as a reserve in his debut, will start Tuesday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Alongside Powell will be Reggie Jackson, Nicolas Batum, Marcus Morris, and Ivica Zubac.
Clippers starters:
Reggie Jackson
Norman Powell
Nicolas Batum
Marcus Morris
Ivica ZubacGrizzlies:
Ja Morant
Desmond Bane
Ziaire Williams
Jaren Jackson Jr.
Steven Adams— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) February 9, 2022
After scoring 13 points and grabbing four rebounds Sunday, Robert Covington will come off the Clippers bench once again.
The move is not the least bit surprising. Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue jokingly said pregame that he couldn't remember who he was starting, and for that said it all considering how transparent he's usually been with members of the Clippers beat about who he's starting.
"Same Clippers starters?"
Ty Lue: "I can't remember."
"Sunday, you started Amir, Zu, Marcus, Nico, Reggie."
"I can't remember who I'm starting tonight though. I'm sorry. My mind… it's COVID." pic.twitter.com/wqOo13D84i
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) February 8, 2022
After his big scoring game back home in Southern California, Norman Powell said scoring wasn't a big emphasis for him on this Clippers team.
“I just wanted to go out there and play,” Norman Powell said after his Clippers debut. “I was excited to be home. I’ve got my family and friends in the stands. Just wanted to go out there and play and compete and not focus too much on trying to score or being the guy, whatever. Let the game come to me, the defense will dictate how I attack it and how I play and that was it. I wasn’t worried about anything besides going out there and competing and making plays to try to help us get a win. That’s all I’m about. I’m not a stats guy. I know if you play the game the right way, all those things will take care of itself.
"They have a good thing going here. They got a team that fights, that competes… I love a team that’s like that, everybody’s pulling for each other, everybody’s fighting. I’m a grinder."
Norman Powell says he's paid attention to some of the Clippers recent big comebacks pic.twitter.com/Qne9f1m0ur
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) February 7, 2022
Robert Covington says the biggest thing he's looking forward to is playing alongside the long, lanky, high basketball IQ forwards on this team.
“[We have] so much versatility,” Robert Covington added after Sunday's Clippers game. “We can throw different matchups and guys can guard so many different things, so many different people on the court, that it's gonna make some problem for the other team, so us moving forward and once we get everybody back healthy, it's just gonna make everything more scary, like I said.
"I knew something was gonna happen, but it was just a matter of where. Initially it was shock cuz Clippers — I did not think I was gonna be coming this way. I thought it was more I'd be going on the East Coast, but the opportunity is new & I've embraced it.”
– Robert Covington pic.twitter.com/xKQsioU3VT
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) February 7, 2022
The Clippers and Grizzlies tip off at 5PM PST.