With James Harden's strong play, the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Mavericks led by Doncic and Irving and won their first playoff victory. Although the game was extremely exciting, the Clippers without Leonard were a little unrealistic to play a devastating operation in the next series. After all, the 34-year-old Harden was affected by a hamstring injury, which led to a significant decline in his breakthrough ability; 33-year-old Paul George was reborn after suffering a broken leg, although he showed good decision-making ability at both ends of the offensive and defensive ends, but he always could not escape the pain caused by the old injury; and the 35-year-old Wei Shao is the most regrettable, the once high-spirited teenager, now completely lost his athletic ability, only relying on extremely unstable shooting, barely regaining his state. The pinnacle of these three supergiants can be completely independent, but now, they have to recognize the reality.
Without the blocking and pick-and-roll of the tall center, Harden seems to have lost more selectivity on the offensive end, and the desire to take the initiative to attack every game has become a barometer of whether the team wins or not. As early as January, after the Clippers completed the feat of the Northern Expedition, Leonard played a pivotal role in it, and the play at critical times still depends on Leonard, his stability is self-evident, in addition, the three-point shooting percentage has made him one of the 180 clubs, such a terrifying performance has undoubtedly become the real core of the team. However, Leonard's attendance this season is the highest in the past six seasons, and injuries are looming. According to Shams Charania, Leonard suffered a knee injury and left the regular season early, and he was forced to undergo injections due to inflammation issues, and is expected to return in the first game of the playoffs. But such remarks are still too radical, Leonard not only did not usher in a comeback, but his own injury risks intensified.
The defensive stalwart had previously suffered a torn cruciate ligament in his right knee and a meniscectomy in his right knee, and the inflammation this time was the same as the old injury, and although he had more rehabilitation, he still couldn't avoid the swelling of his knee, which may take longer to completely cure, not only will he not be able to return to the playoffs, but he will not even be able to secure an Olympic spot. According to the American TA: Grant Hill, the general manager of the U.S. men's basketball team, activated the contingency plan for Leonard's participation in the Olympics. In order to ensure that the U.S. team dreams of better dominance in the Paris Olympics, Magic star Banchero, Clippers teammate George, Nets forward Mikal Bridges and New York guard Brunson are expected to be candidates for Leonard.
For the U.S. national team's quick decision, it is not difficult to see that Leonard's injury is more complicated than expected, and perhaps this potential risk has forced the U.S. basketball hierarchy to learn from the past. They have changed the criteria for previous recruitment, fame and strength are not the best choice, health is the foundation of the Olympic gold medal. It is based on such concerns that the physical condition of the remaining 11 players has also become the main focus, however, Embiid is in an awkward position. Although he returned from injury early and represented the 76ers in the playoffs, due to his own physical factors, he did not lead the team to play a wonderful performance, and suffered two consecutive defeats in the competition with the New York Knicks. And his left knee injury is becoming more and more uncertain, and it is not ruled out that he will not be on the Olympic list.