'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT/xAAVAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEBf/aAAwDAQACEAMQAAAAjsJ6f//EACEQAAIBAwMFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEDAgAEEQUHFyIkVmGV/9oACAEBAAE/ABsRmBUzWlvmZhSe1CzKBHUZ+wBLFcA2nlN181Nf/8QAFxEAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAITUf/aAAgBAgEBPwC76f/EABYRAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABEv/aAAgBAwEBPwCEf//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The All-Star duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George was expected to ball out this season after being on the sidelines for most of last season. Still, due to injury, both swingmen have been in and out of the lineup, which has led to the LA Clippers' 12-9 start.
The Clippers are currently on a two-game road trip, facing the Portland Trail Blazers (11-9) on Tuesday and the Utah Jazz (12-11) on Wednesday. In both matchups, Los Angeles will be without Leonard and George.
For Leonard, he's still under restrictions after coming off an ACL injury, which he rehabbed all last season.
George, on the other hand, has been listed as out as he tries to get better from his hamstring tendon strain. He suffered the injury against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday. Additionally, Luke Kennard is also out for the Clippers, as he's suffering from a right shoulder strain.
The stars' health has played a huge part in the Clippers' play this season. Many expected the Clippers to be the biggest threat out in the West, but it hasn't been that way for the squad.
Aside from the ACL injury that Leonard and the Clippers have been monitoring, he's also dealt with ankle sprains this season.
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are both important to the team's success. Without them, the Clippers might become a bottom-seeded team.
The absence of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George has affected the team's success greatly
When the duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George became a possibility in 2019, people expected great things from the two stars. They were coming off impressive seasons that defined their careers.
First, Leonard joined the Clippers after winning the NBA title, his second, with the Toronto Raptors. Second, George just came off an incredible defensive season in which he led the league in steals with the OKC Thunder. Both were expected to do unbelievable things for Los Angeles.
Now in their fourth season, the Clippers haven't achieved much with the two stars. Both wing players have suffered various injuries that have kept them from playing 100%. The most notable example of this is Leonard's ACL tear, which he spent an entire season rehabbing, only to be on the sidelines again for the start of this season. He's played five of 21 games so far.
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are both being relied upon by the front office, but they haven't held up their end of the bargain. Now, it's up to the the role players to keep their season alive in the tough Western Conference.
Guess the Lakers players!
