Kawhi Leonard says LA Clippers are finding rhythm as they get close to full strength
Wednesday 18 December 2019 09:57, UK
The LA Clippers are one player short of finally fielding their entire team. And it can't come too soon for Paul George and Kawhi Leonard.
George scored 24 points and Leonard added 20 as the Clippers returned home after two weeks away to beat the Phoenix Suns 120-99 on Tuesday night. They were only missing JaMychal Green after having George and Leonard in and out of the line-up since the season began.
"We can start to get into a rhythm with everybody on the floor," Leonard said. "We can see what our rotation is."
The Clippers went 4-2 on their recent road trip, which matched their longest of the season. Leonard didn't play in the finale, a loss Saturday at Chicago.
But he came back strongly at Staples Center, teaming with George in a dominant third quarter that saw the Clippers stretch their lead from five points to 21 by the time it was over. The two superstars combined to score 18 points in a 32-16 run that sent the Clippers into the fourth leading 90-69.
"We just couldn't figure out the Clippers' zone," Suns coach Monty Williams said. "We were a bit tired, playing in three time zones in four days. Our starting group just passed it around and was hoping for something to happen."
Lou Williams added 20 points for the Clippers, scoring their first 11 of the fourth including three three-pointers.
"When he gets it going there is no shot that he can't make," Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. "That was a good stretch for us. Lou's offense allowed us to keep Paul and Kawhi off the floor and give them some rest."
Ivica Zubac had 12 points in helping the team win its 12th in a row over the Suns in Los Angeles.
Kelly Oubre Jr scored 19 points and Deandre Ayton added 18 points and 12 rebounds in his return from a 25-game NBA suspension for Phoenix, who lost their fourth in a row.
"He still has to get in his rhythm, so I'm not going to judge him too hard," Oubre said. "At the end of the day, he is one piece of this puzzle."
Ayton played on opening night, scoring 18 points against Sacramento, and then sat out as punishment for violating the league's anti-drug program after testing positive for a diuretic. He showed little rust in notching his second double-double of the season while playing 24 minutes.
Ayton also twisted an ankle, although he said it was fine after the game.
"At first I was like, this court is like a soccer field," Ayton said. "Then I started to get my second wind."
Ayton calmed his nerves on the one-and-a-half-hour bus ride to the arena. "It gave me enough time to get all them butterflies out, he said. Once I stepped on the floor I knew I was going to be all right."
