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The L.A. Clippers did not have any problems taking care of the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday despite bad shooting nights from their stars Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. George and Leonard combined for just 14-of-44 shooting (31.8 percent) in the 105-87 win.
Following the game, Leonard applauded his team's effort and said that this is “what championship teams are about”, per Andrew Greif of The L.A. Times.
Kawhi said LAC's win despite off-shooting nights from stars is "what championship teams are about, going through playoff runs, best player isn’t going to play great some nights. It might be somebody off the bench or somebody starting that has a big game and propels us to win."
— Andrew Greif (@AndrewGreif) January 1, 2020
The Clippers were already short-handed to begin with. Super-sub Lou Williams did not play due to personal reasons. Likewise, starting point guard Patrick Beverley was also out with a sprained wrist. Despite the depleted line-up and the off shooting night from their stars, L.A. still handled the Kings pretty easily.
Leonard shot just 8-of-21 from the field and 1-of-7 from three, though he did make all of his seven attempts from the foul line en route to 24 points.
Meanwhile, PG13 scored 21 points on just 6-of-25 field goal shooting, while making just 3-of-14 from deep. He did just come up one assist shy of a triple-double, to go along with a season-high 11 rebounds.
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Montrezl Harrell also had a bad shooting night off the bench. The often efficient big man shot just 2-of-9 from the field and scored just seven points and added six rebounds.
The Clippers got an all-around effort from their role players. Ivica Zubac contributed eight points and 13 boards, while Maurice Harkless chipped in 12. L.A. also had a good life from Derrick Walton, who scored 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting in 18 quality minutes off the bench.
Definitely, nights like these are a testament to the Clippers' championship pedigree. Being without two key rotation players and with their two stars (arguably three if you include Harrell) struggling mightily, you would have to imagine them easily losing the game.
But given their deep roster and their next man up mentality, the Clippers found a way to come up with the W.
