Clippers Latest Loss Show They Need More than Kawhi Leonard’s Slow Start

The Clippers season of uncertainty continues. While Los Angeles has plenty to celebrate, sitting at four games over .500 and currently the seventh seed in the western conference, they aren’t quite a complete team just yet.

LA has a good number of wins, but plenty of flaws too. While they’ve won some tough matches early in the season, they’ve dropped a number of close games. They are also much too reliant on the duo of Norman Powell and James Harden.

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Kawhi Leonard was supposed to be the answer to that. However, while some growing pains are expected, the future hall of famer appears to have a lot of work to do before he’s back to his old self.

Superstar Power

No story, even Norman Powell’s electric season, has been bigger for the Clippers than Leonard’s return. The superstar has been hurt for most of his time with Los Angeles, and his knee inflammation during the offseason seemed more of the same.

Despite many believing he would not make it back onto the court this season, reports as early as November stated the springy guard would play again. First he was seen shooting around, then doing drills, then finally participating at practice.

That news excited many fans because Leonard is one of the best players in all of the NBA when healthy. His two-way ability to play excellent defense and find ways to score is almost unmatched.

On top of that, Los Angeles has done quite well in his absence. Though they are far from one of the top teams in the league, they have done a solid job of sticking around through strong defense, good shooting, and strong chemistry.

As such, adding Leonard back to the roster was expected to inject some much-needed firepower into Los Angeles and give them that extra piece they needed to elevate to greater heights. While that time may still come, it’s certainly not here yet.

A Slow Recovery

Leonard has played in two games since his return, and both were mediocre at best. He played 19 minutes in his first game back against the Hawks, but only recorded 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist in what became a blowout victory for the Clippers.

In the following contest against the Timberwolves, Leonard played 21 minutes, but came away with just 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists. Both of those stat lines are not what Los Angeles needs, especially given they fell 108-106 to Minnesota in what ended up being a tight game.

The loss hurts for a variety of reasons. Not only did the Clippers drop a game to another team neck-and-neck with them in the standings, but they fell just short in a contest where they had plenty of opportunities to win.

The loss, and the stats, show that Leonard isn’t quite back to his old self. His knee appears to be fine. He’s running, cutting, jumping, and defending at his usual high level. Even so, he isn’t making the big plays Los Angeles will need from him in the coming weeks.

The Timberwolves also did a great job of containing the former Finals MVP. They put multiple defenders on him, made sure to switch, and prevented him from ever finding a rhythm. A healthy Leonard might have found a way around that, but a recovering one couldn't.

Not There Yet

The Clippers came up short against the Wolves, but they did so playing the same game they’ve played all year. James Harden did not shoot well (8-of-22) but he did score 22 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, two blocks, and two steals. Norman Powell also continued his great season with 25 points, six rebounds, and one assist.

Without Leonard backing them up, the team just didn't do what they needed to finish things off. They shot 12-of-35 from three and lacked the defense of urgency they’ve relied on all year long. Both of those are a bad combination, especially in such a close game.

Despite that, it wasn’t a huge loss in the grand scheme of things. Leonard appears to be going through the motions more than anything else, which is understandable given how much the franchise wants to get him back into basketball shape.

The guard needs to find chemistry with the team if they want to improve, and that will take time. Still, the Clippers need to be careful. Every night where he doesn’t do much but eats minutes, is a game that could get away.

The Clippers don’t have a huge cushion right now. They’re on the edge in the playoff standings, and need wins sooner rather than later. Leonard will undoubtedly help them down the line, but his heroics won’t matter if the playoffs are already out of reach.