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The Los Angeles Clippers were dealt a crippling blow ahead of their NBA play-in game against the New Orleans Pelicans. On Friday morning, it was revealed Paul George would be unable to take the court after testing positive for COVID-19. While his absence will be a major loss for the Clippers, the team will pivot its focus to getting the job done in George's stead. It won't be an easy task, especially considering LA went 1-3 vs the Pelicans in the regular season — the only game they won was after George's return late in the season.
Clippers star Paul George tested positive and will miss the Play-In Tournament vs. New Orleans tonight, per @ShamsCharania pic.twitter.com/Bf6TPZca5g
— Clippers Nation (@ClipperNationCP) April 15, 2022
While their chances at reaching the NBA Playoffs certainly took a hit following the update to George, Clippers fans should remain confident the team can still get the job done on Friday night. The Pelicans, while playing well, aren't some otherworldly opponent, and even without George active, the Clippers have the talent and the coaching to pull off the upset win. With that in mind, here's how the Clippers can beat the Pelicans in the NBA play-in game.
2. reasons Clippers will beat Pelicans without Paul George
2. LA played most of the season without Paul George
There's no way to sugarcoat how brutal the loss of George is for the win-or-go-home game on Friday night, but the Clippers need not hit the panic button just yet. Ty Lue and the Clippers reached the play-in tournament in a season that saw both George and Kawhi Leonard sidelined from nearly start to finish (with Leonard still yet to return to action). Despite the lack of availability from both superstars, the Clippers prevailed and overcame the odds, finishing the season at 42-40 and earning the eighth seed. They beat some good teams throughout the year, and despite their woes against the Pelicans, they will be more determined than ever to defend their right to the eighth seed and the final playoff spot in the West.
In games in which George was inactive this year, the Clippers posted a record of 27-24. With George, the team is 15-16. While the sample size is obviously small, it shows the team has a ton of depth and doesn't rely fully on their stars to get wins. When one or two key players go down, guys like Reggie Jackson, Marcus Morris, Ivica Zubac, and Terance Mann are more than ready to answer the call.
1. LA only needs to win one game
This is purely a winner-takes-all matchup on Friday, and while not having your superstar player is a significant loss, this may end up proving beneficial for the Clippers. An off-game from CJ McCollum or Brandon Ingram would instantly increase LA's chances of pulling off an upset, even without George on the floor, and if a Clippers player manages to catch fire early on, they can easily turn the tide of the game. As we saw in the Pelicans' win over the Spurs, DeJounte Murray was called for three fouls early on, which strictly limited his availability for much of the game, throwing San Antonio's gameplan out of whack. That just goes to show that, on a single night, there are endless factors that can swing the favor in the direction of another team. Some early foul trouble to Ingram or Jonas Valanciunas could open the door for the Clippers' offense.
LA is filled with talented shooters, too. Players like Mann, Morris, Jackson, Luke Kennard, and Amir Coffey are all capable 3-point shooters. Any one of them getting hot could present a problem for the Pelicans. The Clippers had the 8th best defense against 3-point shooters during the regular season, whereas New Orleans ranked 26th. The 3-ball could be a crucial factor in the outcome of this one, and if the Clippers can defend the perimeter as they have all year, it could be a huge boost.
