In the NBA world, there has seldom been a player whose playing style or choices have rarely been questioned. Norman Powell has largely ignored the noise and established his presence as one of the LA Clippers’ lead scorers this season amid Kawhi Leonard’s injury absence. Unfortunately, as his recent choices elevated his own troubles with injury, so did the criticism from the basketball community. Recently, he chose to respond to one detractor.

The official X account of Lakers Daily recently highlighted a screenshot from an Instagram chat an unknown individual had with the Clippers star. Though it’s unclear who initiated the exchange, Lakers Daily may have had a role. The critic wrote, “Was it worth rushing the injury? I know playing the Lakers is like the nba finals for you but look what happened (shrug emoji)”.

Powell had just made his return to the Clippers lineup earlier than initially projected after sustaining a knee injury three weeks ago. His first game back? Against the Lakers. To make matters worse, the Clippers fell short, and in the aftermath, Luka Dončić jokingly pointed out how players always seem to return from injuries when facing the Lakers.

“I think I didn’t believe it before, but they say, like if somebody’s out a long time, they play against the Lakers,” the Slovenian superstar pointed out jestingly. The timing of Powell’s return—and Dončić’s remark—likely fueled this fan’s accusation that he prioritized the game out of rivalry rather than recovery.

However, Powell wasn’t letting this narrative go without addressing it. 2 hours and 23 minutes later, he replied, “Brotha I didn’t rush anything to play the lakers (laughing emoji). Think the Lakers mean that much lol totally unrelated to what I was out with before. But hey you and everyone else knows more than me”.

Although Powell has reportedly said nothing in public to indicate holding a special grudge against LeBron James and Co., he does hold a 5-5 win record against the team in the last 10 games they have played. Therefore, when the chance is there to go beyond evening the record, then what’s the harm in taking a swing at it? However, all Powell’s actions did was to elevate the reported ‘running joke’ on Lakers social media.

Unfortunately, none of his comebacks would probably be enough to save him from similar criticisms. For one, Powell’s triumphant return was short-lived, having to exit after playing only eight minutes. And the crazy part? He did not leave because his left knee injury got re-aggravated, but because he sustained a separate right hamstring strain during the game. Imagine that!

Well, the Clippers player took a gamble, and it didn’t pay off the way he wanted it to. Now, his actions have placed his future in doubt.

Will Norman Powell be available during the Clippers’ upcoming game?

The LA Clippers will next face the Phoenix Suns. Unfortunately, the LA squad will have to do so without Norman Powell, as he has been declared ‘OUT’. The player now holds the same status on the injury report as Ben Simmons and Derrick Jones Jr., who are recovering from their respective left knee soreness and right groin strain ailments.

According to RotoWire, in Norman Powell’s absence, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Amir Coffey will likely see their minutes increase. Over the last 31 games, Bogdanovic has averaged 10.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. Meanwhile, in the 58 games he has played this season, Amir Coffey has averaged 10.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. While neither of the players’ stats are higher than Powell’s, they can cover for the player during his period of absence.

The LA Clippers currently hold the 6 seed on the Western Conference points chart. With other teams gaining on them, the chance for the franchise to qualify for the playoffs is slipping. Therefore, the sooner Norman Powell returns to the lineup, the better.