Injuries have plagued the LA Clippers over the last four years. This season wasn’t any different. After a thumping performance in the regular season, the team crashed out in the first round with a 4-2 series loss. One of the main reasons behind the loss was Kawhi Leonard’s absence. Addressing the issue after the loss, coach Tyronn Lue indirectly took a dig at the NBA commissioner Adam Silver with his hilarious confession.
Of the 6 games, Leonard could take part only in two because of a knee injury and it reflected the result. In the 2023 playoffs, the Clippers had a similar fate where Claw was ruled after the first two games, and the Phoenix Suns decimated the Clippers in the first round with a 4-1 record. On top of it, they also didn’t have Paul George for the entire season. Addressing the recurring issues, a reporter asked Lue what different approach he would opt for. Within a beat, Lue hilariously said, “I am going back to load management.”
The reporter even highlighted Lue’s statement from the last season, when he claimed to not have lost any series when all his players were healthy. Unfortunately, Lue could repeat the same statement, as Kawhi Leonard suffered a knee inflammation days before the postseason. But Lue instead opted to take a subtle dig at Adam Silver.
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Ahead of the season, the NBA dropped a new set of rules for load management. The rules were slightly harder for the star players. For instance, the team can rest only one star per game and star players must be available for national TV games and In-season tournament games. In the case of the Clippers, the team has four star players: James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Leonard, and PG-13.
While the three stars survived the load management test, 2x NBA Champ Claw got caught up in the firing line. Will the super team ever fetch the maiden trophy for the Clippers’ family?
Will Tyronn Lue overcome the load management issue next season?
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Kawhi Leonard has three more years remaining in his contract, and the team has to manage the star’s time on the court with specific attention. Meanwhile, on the other hand, Harden and PG-13 enter the free agency. Several reports have already stated the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic‘s possibility of trading the star. Both Sixers and Magic have a huge cap space and look to strengthen their side with a star.
On the other hand, Ty Lue, whose 4-year contract will come to an end after this season. During the press conference, Lue revealed his will to continue with the franchise for a long time.
"I didn't come here to bounce around and go all over the place… I would love to be here long term."
Clippers HC Ty Lue on his future with LA pic.twitter.com/yfp5JKibMJ
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 4, 2024
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Even ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski stated the management’s possibility to retain the coach till the 2025-26 season. With the trade rumors on the cards, the Clippers could have a different look to their roster in their upcoming season. These upgrades and adjustments may help them overcome the load management issue. Will the Clippers under Ty Lue win a ring? Let us know in the comments below.