In the fierce matchup of the NBA playoffs, the Clippers should have shown a sea of stars under the leadership of Leonard, but the sudden change plunged the team into a fog. Just when everyone thought they were going to sweep the opponent in an unbeatable attitude, Leonard announced that he would not play Game 4 due to a knee injury, which was like a depth charge that blew a big hole in the bottom of the Clippers' boat.
Imagine that in the pre-game tactical discussion, Harden and George were still discussing how to score a good game with Leonard. But suddenly, the coach announced the news of this thunderbolt with a depressed face. No, the expressions of Harden and George instantly changed from sunny to cloudy, which is even more dramatic than a TV series.
Why do you think Leonard is so bad? Shortly after his comeback, he missed again with a knee injury, which not only caught his teammates off guard, but also broke the hearts of all Clippers fans. During the game, Harden and George had to re-carry the team's scoring banner. In the face of the onslaught of the Mavericks, these two superstars, who were supposed to share the pressure with Leonard, can now only bite the bullet.
However, the Clippers without Leonard are like missing the soul, and the entire team's tactical layout and on-court rhythm seem slightly disordered. Although Harden can still contribute high scores, basketball is a five-a-side sport after all, and it is difficult to shake the entire pattern of the game with the breakthrough of one or two people alone. The Mavericks seized on the Clippers' weakness and began to gradually dominate the game.
In the second half of the game, Paul George tried to lead his team in the final comeback. His three-point shot streaked across the night sky like a comet, precise and sharp, as if he was about to turn things around on his own. However, the Mavericks' teamwork and tight defense made all of these efforts seem a bit overwhelming.
After the game, reporters and basketball commentators pointed the finger at Leonard's sudden absence, and there was an uproar on fan forums and social media. Everyone is asking: Was Leonard a strategic break, or was his knee really that bad?
As the series continued, the Clippers' situation became even more precarious. Although Harden and George are trying to fill the void left by Leonard, the battle on the basketball court requires the overall cooperation of the team. If Leonard's injury is not effectively controlled, then his constant return and absence will not only shake the team's tactical arrangement, but also seriously affect the mentality of his teammates and the development of the game.
This makes people wonder if Leonard's "digging holes" is really worth it, and when the Clippers are at the crossroads of victory and defeat, the health and condition of every player are crucial. If a back-to-back injury campaign prevents Leonard from playing consistently, perhaps he should indeed consider giving himself and the team a respite until he is fully healthy.
In short, the future of the Clippers is full of uncertainties. Fans and analysts alike are closely watching Leonard's every step of the way, hoping that he can return sooner rather than later and lead the Clippers far in the playoffs. As for Harden and George, they must also be ready to lead the Clippers to the next challenges in future games, with or without Leonard's involvement.