In the recently concluded Los Angeles derby, the Lakers lost to the Clippers 110-111. According to media statistics, the Lakers have lost 5 consecutive games against the Clippers, and the Lakers have lost 8 times in the past 9 Times los Angeles Derby. Of course, there are core absences on both sides, James did not play on the Lakers side, and Leonard and George of the Clippers continued to be absent. Many fans want to ask: When will the little card come back?
Clippers coach Tyronn Lu said in an interview: "On February 24, George will have an MRI examination on his right elbow, and whether he can come back this season is unknown, there is still hope. But we know Leonard is not coming back this season. Although the Clippers did not officially announce the reimbursement of the small card season, from the words of Lu's guidance, the small card will be gone this season.
Last season in the Clippers and Jazz's Western Conference Semifinals G4, Ka Jr. injured his right knee. On July 14, 2021, the Clippers officially announced that Leonard had undergone anterior cruciate ligament repair surgery with an undecided return date. According to the previous star recovery time, it takes almost a year. On January 4, 2021, Dinwiddie underwent ligament reconstruction surgery, and on January 8, 2022, he officially returned, and the truce was completely one year.
On August 13, 2021, the Clippers and Leonard completed their contract extensions for four years and $176.3 million. Details of this contract are as follows: $39.34 million for the 2021-22 season; $42.49 million for the 2022-23 season; $45.64 million for the 2023-24 season; and $48.78 million for the 2024-25 season (player option).
Because Leonard jumped out of his original contract and signed a new contract with the Clippers as a free agent, the Clippers still can't claim a $9.5 million injury exception even if he is reimbursed for the entire season. The Clippers' entire team salary this season is as high as $168.5 million, ranking third in the league and requiring $94 million in luxury taxes, and third in the league.
At present, the Clippers are ranked eighth in the West with 27 wins and 27 losses, and it is not easy to have such a result without two major players. Of course, there are media and fans who are not satisfied with the Clippers' current record. A reporter asked Lu: "Why did the Clippers struggle so hard in the first half of the season?" Tyronelu said, "The reason is Little Card?" Is it Paul George? ”
In the last two weeks, the Clippers have had three games in which they have all won by one point, including a 24-point comeback and a 35-point comeback! One thing to say, do you think the Clippers' performance today is admirable?