<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/hornets-news-gordon-haywards-status-for-play-in-game-vs-celtics-revealed.jpg"></figure><h1>Hornets star Gordon Hayward’s status for play-in game vs. Pacers, revealed</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-05-17T13:11:28-07:00">May 17th, 1:11pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-05-17T13:11:58-07:00">May 17th, 1:11pm</time><address><a>Jason Patt</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Charlotte Hornets will continue to be without the services of star Gordon Hayward for their Tuesday play-in game against the Indiana Pacers, <a href="https://twitter.com/HornetsPR/status/1394375784127733770" rel="noopener">according to the team.</a></p><p>Hayward hasn’t played since April 2 against the Pacers due to a foot injury. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/hornets-news-gordon-haywards-status-after-suffering-foot-sprain/" rel="noopener">The initial timetable for the injury</a> was at least four weeks, but we’re now at the six-week mark after the injury. It’s unclear what Hayward’s status would be for a second play-in game or even the playoffs if the Hornets make it that far.</p><p>This was always the concern when Charlotte beat out Indiana and other suitors for Hayward in free agency. The Hornets paid a pretty penny to acquire Hayward from the Boston Celtics despite a number of injuries in recent years.</p><p>The 31-year-old was having an excellent season before he went down, averaging 19.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting an efficient 47.3% from the field and 41.5% from 3-point range. However, the injuries to Hayward and LaMelo Ball hurt Charlotte down the stretch of the season. The Hornets were at 25-23 after beating the Pacers on April 2, only to finish the campaign 33-39 and in the No. 10 spot in the Eastern Conference.</p><p>Ball has returned to the lineup from his injury, but the continued absence of Hayward will hurt Charlotte’s chances in Indiana. The Pacers are a bit banged up themselves, though, so the Hornets still have a good opportunity to win and advance to another play-in game against the loser of the Washington Wizards-Boston Celtics game.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Hornets star Gordon Hayward’s status for play-in game vs. Pacers, revealed

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Hornets-Gordon-Hayward-1.jpg"></figure><h1>Hornets star Gordon Hayward’s status after suffering foot sprain</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-04-03T12:00:27-07:00">April 3rd, 12:00pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-04-03T12:01:10-07:00">April 3rd, 12:01pm</time><address><a>Benedetto Vitale</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>With the NBA postseason closing in, teams across the league are making their push for the playoffs. Some have been luckier than others, as teams like the Brooklyn Nets and Portland Trail Blazers are getting healthier at the right time. However, for the Charlotte Hornets, they’re trending in the wrong direction.</p><p>Luckily for them, they are currently ranked fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 25-23 record. Rookie phenom LaMelo Ball had recently been sidelined with an injury, and now small forward Gordon Hayward will be missing crucial playing time as well, <a href="https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine/status/1378414899248910336">per Marc Stein</a>.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Another brutal injury blow for the Most Watchable Hornets Ever, losing Hayward now on top of the LaMelo Ball injury with Charlotte sitting a surprising fourth in the East entering Saturday's play.</p><p>— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine/status/1378416396196020225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">April 3, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>The Charlotte Hornets have been exciting, to say the least, this year, especially while Ball was still healthy and playing. Now with Hayward sidelined as well, the Hornets’ season may be crashing down from within.</p><p>Four weeks isn’t the end of the world though, as that puts Hayward’s return in early May. The final game of the regular season <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/schedule">for the Hornets</a> is on May 16th against the Washington Wizards. Charlotte will just have to survive without Hayward until his return, as they’re sitting in a good spot for playoff position.</p><p>This year’s playoff race is going to come down to the wire, especially after the trades we witnessed right before the trade deadline. Look for the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, and Chicago Bulls to potentially rise in the rankings. Each of those organizations made aggressive moves before the trade deadline, vastly improving their rosters this season.</p><p>Catch the Charlotte Hornets’ next game on Boston Celtics on Sunday, as this is a matchup that will feel like a playoff game.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Hornets star Gordon Hayward’s status after suffering foot sprain

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Charlotte-keeps-immaculate-4th-record-despite-Gordon-Hayward-injury.jpg"></figure><h1>Hornets keep immaculate record despite Gordon Hayward injury</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-04-02T20:45:08-07:00">April 2nd, 8:45pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-04-02T20:45:08-07:00">April 2nd, 8:45pm</time><address><a>Edward Marlowe</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Charlotte Hornets maintained their grasp on the Eastern Conference No. 4 seed on Friday night with a critical <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/scores/nba/boxscore/charlotte-hornets-indiana-pacers-4-3-2021/5a1fcbb8-a84b-4d84-9b51-2756ac557861" rel="noopener">114-97 road win</a> over the Indiana Pacers.</p><p>Miles Bridges led seven players in double figures with a game-high 23 points on 8-for-12 shooting with 10 rebounds, helping the Hornets overcome a second-half absence of megastar forward Gordon Hayward—who had 13 points, eight rebounds and six assists in 19 minutes.</p><p>But the bigger buzz surrounding Charlotte? It’s ability to keep leads late, once acquired. The Hornets, up 84-76 after three frames, moved to an <a href="https://twitter.com/rodboone/status/1378170146775240706?s=20">uncanny 20-0 this season</a> when leading after three quarters.</p><p>Per Rod Boone, author of the popular “The Hive Vibes” Substack focusing on Charlotte, no other NBA team is undefeated this season when holding a lead going into the final frame.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Final: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hornets?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">#Hornets</a> 114, Pacers 97</p><p>That's now a 20-0 record for the Hornets when leading after three quarters. No other team is undefeated when holding an advantage heading into the fourth.</p><p>Victory also gives them the edge in the season series and the all-important tiebreaker.</p><p>— Rod Boone (@rodboone) <a href="https://twitter.com/rodboone/status/1378170146775240706?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">April 3, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>The Pacers  twice got within six points in the fourth quarter, when T.J. McConnell answered Devonte’ Graham’s basket to make it 88-82 with 10:13 to go, and when Doug McDermott splashed a 3-pointer to get to 97-91 with 5:50 remaining in regulation.</p><p>Charlotte responded each time, respectively, with a 7-0 run and a 6-0 to keep control.</p><p>Among the implications for the win: it gave Charlotte a 2-1 regular-season series victory over the Pacers, which could affect postseason position should Indiana surge in the standings. Furthermore, it gave the Hornets a half-game advantage over the Miami Heat for the Southeast Division lead.</p><p>The Hornets have won five of their last seven games, including four on the road.</p><p>Meanwhile, Hayward was officially diagnosed with a sprained right foot and will be re-evaluated through the weekend, putting his much-anticipated return to Boston this Sunday in question.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">INJURY UPDATE: <a href="https://twitter.com/hornets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@hornets</a> forward Gordon Hayward suffered a right foot sprain in the 2Q of tonight’s game against IND and will not return. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AllFly?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">#AllFly</a></p><p>— Charlotte Hornets PR (@HornetsPR) <a href="https://twitter.com/HornetsPR/status/1378155645002715142?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">April 3, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Hornets keep immaculate record despite Gordon Hayward injury

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Hornets-Gordon-Hayward.jpg"></figure><h1>Gordon Hayward leaves Pacers matchup with foot sprain, adds to Hornets’ injury problems</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-04-02T19:28:01-07:00">April 2nd, 7:28pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-04-02T19:29:25-07:00">April 2nd, 7:29pm</time><address><a>Kriel Ibarrola</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The injury bug has been wreaking havoc on the Charlotte Hornets’ roster as of late. With key players LaMelo Ball and Malik Monk already out due to separate injuries, Gordon Hayward has been added to the list after prematurely exiting their game against the Indiana Pacers on Friday.</p><p>Hayward went back to the visitor’s locker room at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in the second period after spraining his right foot. Unfortunately <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/roster">for the team</a>, he was ruled out for the rest of the second half.</p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/HornetsPR/status/1378155645002715142?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1378155645002715142%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fclutchpoints.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D1062597action%3Dedit">The extent of his injury is uncertain</a> as of writing.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">INJURY UPDATE: <a href="https://twitter.com/hornets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@hornets</a> forward Gordon Hayward suffered a right foot sprain in the 2Q of tonight’s game against IND and will not return. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AllFly?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">#AllFly</a></p><p>— Charlotte Hornets PR (@HornetsPR) <a href="https://twitter.com/HornetsPR/status/1378155645002715142?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">April 3, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>It’s a shame for the Hornets’ star, considering he was having a spectacular all-around game prior to the injury. Hayward recorded 13 points (4-of-8 FG) eight rebounds, and six assists in 19 minutes.</p><p>Gordon Hayward’s extensive history with injuries has been documented for most of his career. While he is figuring in an inspiring bounce-back season in his first stint with Charlotte, his inability to stay healthy has been troubling for the Michael Jordan-owned franchise.</p><p>The Hornets are doing extremely well this season, holding the fourth spot in the East with a 24-23 slate prior to Friday’s road game. Ball and Monk’s respective setbacks certainly pose challenges for their bid to return to the postseason this year.</p><p>It will be extremely hard to hold on to that spot if Hayward will also miss considerable time.</p><p>The one-time All-Star is tallying 19.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.2 steals in 43 games for the Hornets. While the team has received great contributions from its other players, no doubt Hayward has emerged as their leader and best player.</p><p>The Eastern Conference has improved greatly this year, and Hayward’s health will likely determine if the Hornets will be able to keep up.</p><p> </p><p> </p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Gordon Hayward leaves Pacers matchup with foot sprain, adds to Hornets’ injury problems

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Clippers-news-Kawhi-Leonard-puts-Gordon-Hayward-in-the-torture-chamber-with-strip-and-stuff-Thumbnail-1.jpg"></figure><h1>VIDEO: Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard puts Gordon Hayward in the torture chamber with strip and stuff</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-03-20T21:40:58-07:00">March 20th, 9:40pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-03-20T21:40:58-07:00">March 20th, 9:40pm</time><address><a>Mike Cruz</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Los Angeles Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard mercilessly placed Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward in the torture chamber during the start of the third quarter of their Saturday showdown.</p><p>Leonard showed his two-way force in the said play, stripping Hayward and going coast-to-coast with the easy one-handed spike.</p><p>Watch the <a href="https://twitter.com/LAClippers/status/1373477958812278784" rel="noopener">highlight</a> below:</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Swipe and slam.<a href="https://twitter.com/kawhileonard?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@kawhileonard</a> | 📺 <a href="https://twitter.com/FoxSportsWest?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@FoxSportsWest</a> <a href="https://t.co/RgzEVbzgup" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/RgzEVbzgup</a></p><p>— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) <a href="https://twitter.com/LAClippers/status/1373477958812278784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">March 21, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers were certainly having their way against the Hornets at that point of the game. They raced out to a 37-point opening quarter and established a 22-point lead heading into the second half.</p><p>L.A. was such in cruise control that they did just whatever they wanted against Charlotte. That was in full display with this casual long-distance alley-oop connection between Paul George and Kawhi Leonard in the second quarter, which extended the Clippers’ lead to 20 at that point.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">PG connects with Kawhi from DISTANCE 😳 <a href="https://t.co/SIuOCMN524" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/SIuOCMN524</a></p><p>— NBA TV (@NBATV) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBATV/status/1373470029665116161?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">March 21, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>The Clippers are still in the mix for a top-four seed in the loaded Western Conference, but they have the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers right on their coat tails. Just like last season, L.A. has been inconsistent this season, and Leonard has voiced some displeasure with this development.</p><p>Sometimes, like Saturday night against the Hornets, the Clippers look like the most dominant team in the league with their elite two-way play. However, on other nights, they fall flat and lose to teams they should be handling with ease.</p><p>With Leonard and George leading the way, the Clippers are still among the favorites to win this year’s NBA championship. However, they’ll need to establish a real identity and play with much more consistency if they don’t want a repeat of last year’s playoff disappointment to happen again.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

VIDEO: Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard puts Gordon Hayward in the torture chamber with strip and stuff

Brandon Ingram

Kyle Lowry

Andrew Wiggins

Seth Curry

Gordon Hayward

Serge Ibaka

Andre Drummond

JaVale McGee

Kemba Walker

Rudy Gay

1x All Star

Utah Jazz

Boston Celtics

Charlotte Hornets

1 season

Career

2 seasons

https://twitter.com/gordonhayward/status/1395419016672550918/

So grateful for the support in Charlotte and from @hornets fans this season! Hate that I couldn’t get back out there to finish the season with the guys, my foot just didn’t heal in time. This isn’t the ending any of us wanted, but we’ll be back in a big way next season. #AllFly 

https://twitter.com/gordonhayward/status/1377004329777909760/

Pregame prep with Coach Nate. Let’s get better tonight! #ImproveEveryDay 

https://twitter.com/gordonhayward/status/1376590201078878215/

The competition for Barstool’s best college bar in the country is down to 4 and @brickstoxford is in it to win it! I’ve been there and they are definitely championship worthy! Let’s get them to the Finals! Just tweet #bestbarbrickst by 3pm today!

https://twitter.com/gordonhayward/status/1375642923992236036/

Great win in front of our fans. We felt your energy! #AllFly 

https://twitter.com/gordonhayward/status/1375554041372098569/

Finally back home tonight. Can’t wait to hear you buzzing, Charlotte! #AllFly 

https://twitter.com/gordonhayward/status/1374830740022697984/

Let’s finish this trip strong! #AllFly 

https://twitter.com/gordonhayward/status/1371644261758828544/

https://twitter.com/gordonhayward/status/1371574307365748746/

2020-21 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
19.6	5.9	4.1	0.3	1.2

2020-21 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
19.6	5.9	4.1	0.3	1.2