The Clippers' victory over the Warriors was witnessed by all, despite the Warriors' comeback attempt in the fourth quarter. The Clippers emerged victorious, securing their second consecutive win. With this win, the Clippers now have an 18-13 record, placing them fifth in the Western Conference. What noteworthy information has emerged following the Clippers' two consecutive victories? There is good news for Leonard, Harden has officially confirmed something, and Powell has made a request.
This season's Clippers are undoubtedly one of the toughest teams in the West. They lack star players, with some having suffered injuries and missed numerous games, yet they continue to hold their ground. Winning 18 out of the first 31 games is quite impressive. It's worth considering that with Harden's strong ability to cover for his teammates and Tyronn Lue's skill in utilizing underutilized players, they have managed to establish themselves in the competitive Western Conference.
As the Clippers celebrate their wins, fans eagerly await Leonard's return. What is the current situation with Leonard? There is good news: he is expected to return in next week's game. Tyronn Lue mentioned using Leonard's tactics in training to help him maintain his rhythm upon his return. However, it should be noted that Leonard will not be back for the next three games, as he will not travel with the team during the three-game road trip; his return will have to wait until the home game.
Regarding Leonard's return, Harden has his own perspective. He confirmed that during the game, he discussed the matter with Leonard, who expressed his desire not to disrupt the team's chemistry and rhythm. However, Harden reassured that this would not be an issue, stating that the team would continue to play in the same manner, simply adding another elite-level player to the mix. It must be said that Harden's emotional intelligence is quite commendable.
Powell, the team's top scorer this season, also addressed Leonard's return. Without holding back, he made a demand of the team, stating that everyone must make sacrifices once Leonard returns, as he is the core of the team. The positive aspect is that there are no ulterior motives among the players. Powell is correct; the reason the Clippers have been able to push forward this season is that everyone is focused on winning without any distractions. This atmosphere was lacking last season.
Regardless of how things unfold, the Clippers have overcome their most challenging phase. With Leonard set to return and some Western Conference teams falling behind, the Clippers are accumulating victories. One can observe the varying degrees of losses suffered by teams like the Warriors and Kings. While the Clippers may not be championship contenders this season, they are undoubtedly the team with the most variables in the West. It will be interesting to see how things develop.