Mason Plumlee will be a game-time decision for the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night against the Charlotte Hornets. The veteran center has been out since sustaining a MCL sprain early in the season, prompting the Clippers to trade for Daniel Theis. However, Paul George is scheduled to start for the Hotneys.
George has been one of the best players in the league this season, posting an impressive 22.8 PPG, 5.6 RPG, and 4.1 APG while shooting 45.6 percent overall and 40.2 percent from 3-point range.
The Clippers, on the other hand, will be counting on Kawhi Leonard’s availability. The two-time NBA champion sat out the loss to the Celtics and is questionable for the game against the Hornets. Los Angeles needs both of its star wings to be healthy and ready to go if they want to keep building their reputation as a championship contender.
Ty Lue will have Paul George, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook in his rotation, so he’ll have three future hall of famers to work with. As a result, the Clippers have more talent than the Hornets can handle.
In addition, Charlotte will be without LaMelo Ball. That should give the Clippers an advantage.
The Los Angeles Clippers Are Real Champions
When the Los Angeles Clippers traded for James Harden earlier this year, they were adding yet another superstar who has failed to win a championship in his career.
With Westbrook on the team and Kawhi Leonard and Paul George on the wing, there was bound to be some concern about touches. But since Westbrook decided to sit out, the Clippers have played like a team that wants to win a championship.
Harden has thrived in his new role as the go-to scorer, and Leonard and George are flourishing as two-way wing players, with a superstar playmaker to dish them the ball in the halfcourt.
In addition, having Westbrook off the bench has given the Clippers a more balanced team, giving them a legitimate scorer to lead their second unit. Westbrook, a former NBA MVP, is capable of dominating games when given the chance. Cooking second units isn’t something he’s had a hard time doing.
With so many talented players on the floor, the Clippers will be a force to be reckoned with in the early stages of the playoffs. However, the Clippers need all of their star players to be healthy and healthy, and that means there will be times when one or two members of the Clippers’ primary rotation will be unavailable.
