Last Updated on October 22, 2022 by BVN
Jon D. Gaede | BVN Sports
Coach Lue will have a healthy Kawhi Leonard and Paul George to start the season
The 2022 Clipper basketball season will have a premium on the health of their players. Coach Tyronn Lue will have a healthy Paul George and Kawhi Leonard on the court to start the season. Previously, key injuries have kept them from winning crucial playoff games and advancing.
Leonard underwent a surgical repair of a partial torn ACL
Kawhi Leonard (Riverside MLK High School) returns to the court after suffering a severe knee injury in game 4 of the 2021 Western Conference Semifinals against the Utah. Leonard who underwent a surgical repair of his partially torn ACL in July 2021, has been cleared to resume playing. However, the Clippers will exercise caution as puts stress on the repaired knee.
Clippers missed the NBA playoffs
Paul George (Palmdale High School) was expected to take up the slack until Leonard recovered, however he suffered his own severe elbow injury and missed half the 20-21 season. Ultimately, the Clippers finished 8th in the Western Conference standings. The Clippers lost their “play-in” game last year to Minnesota, missing the NBA playoffs.
Reggie Jackson returns to the Clippers
A healthy Clipper basketball team still has that hungry, overachieving, underdog aura. With new additions of veteran guards Reggie Jackson and John Wall, the Clippers are loaded in the back court and have the pieces to contend in the Western Conference. Jackson returns to the Clippers, a team where he has thrived as a fearless 40% three-point playoff shooter. Five time All Star John Wall signed a two-year deal, adding experience and creativity to the back court.
Poised to challenge in the west
The Clippers have that unique combination of veterans, star shooters, team speed and hunger. From ownership to coaching, the franchise is poised to challenge in the west, as expectations are for nothing less than a deep playoff run and perhaps the NBA finals.