Almost halfway through the season for the Los Angeles Clippers, they found themselves five games over 500. (19-14) and in the middle of the pack of the Western Conference.
The biggest question for this team throughout the season that head coach Ty Lue had to answer was when we would see superstar Kawhi Leonard on the floor.
The answer everyone was looking for finally came to fruition on Saturday night when Coach Lue told the media that Leonard would suit up for the first time this season against Atlanta at the INUIT dome. He hasn’t played since Game 3 of the first round against Dallas when LA was sent home in six games.
Kawhi Leonard Returns To Los Angeles Clippers Lineup
When they announced Leonard’s name in the starting lineup in front of his home crowd, the building erupted, excited to see him for the first time this season.
The six-time all-star and two-time Finals MVP took his first shot of the season with 9:57 in the 1st from 3-pt and knocked it down on a set-up pass from teammate James Harden.
He played limited minutes, scoring 12 points on 4-of-11 shooting, along with three rebounds, an assist, and a steal in a 131-105 win over Atlanta.
“It felt great,” Leonard said of his return in a post-game interview. “Was able to throw some paint on the canvas tonight. We’re working to create something beautiful so let’s keep going.”
This team, led by Harden, has seen elevated play from Norman Powell who leads LA in scoring averaging 23.5 ppg, and someone I believe is on the list this season for most improved, in big man Ivica Zubac.
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Zubac is averaging a double-double and career-highs across the board, 15 ppg and 12.5 reb, and has as many double-doubles already this season (23) as he did in the 68 games he played last season.
“It was great,” Leonard said to the media after his debut. “They’ve been doing well all year leading the team. With James. Zu has grown a lot… Norm as well. He’s been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. He’s proven himself right and showing the world he can be an All-Star player.”
Not many, if any, believe the Clippers can contend for a championship, but if they want to do what head coach Ty Lue and this team and organizations believe they can do, Leonard must be healthy come April.
LA plays at Minnesota on Monday.
Chrys Henderson is a writer for LAFB. You can follow him on X @ChrysNBA.