The 2024 LA Clippers: A Season of Redemption
Can the Clippers make a long-awaited NBA Finals appearance in 2024?
Image credit: Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
The Los Angeles Clippers have consistently put together some of the most talented rosters in the NBA since acquiring two-way superstars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in the 2019 offseason. Yet, something always seems to occur that prevents the Clippers from even making an NBA Finals appearance. In 2020 the Clippers blew a 3-1 lead against the Nuggets in the Western Conference Semifinals (WCSF). The 2021 postseason saw the Clippers make their first Western Conference Finals (WCF) appearance in franchise history, but Leonard tore his ACL in the previous series. The Clippers failed to make it out of the play-in tournament in 2022 with Leonard sidelined the entire season and George only playing 31 games with a lingering elbow injury. The 2023 season presented some of the worst luck any team could ever imagine. George missed 26 games with a hyperextended knee and was unable to play in the playoffs, while Leonard tore his meniscus during their first playoff game of the 2023 postseason, despite playing through the injury in the next game. The Clippers were eliminated in five games by the Phoenix Suns and were unable to break out of the first round. If there are a few words to describe the Clippers during the Leonard and George era, it’s injuries and bad luck. Leonard and George continue to have the unluckiest injuries, but both are finally coming off a fully healthy offseason with a group relatively similar to last season’s roster.
The Clippers kept Russell Westbrook, who took a huge pay cut to stay and was the perfect point guard to facilitate the Clippers’ offense, and they traded for a young, athletic forward Kenyon Martin Jr., who will add some more size and forward depth. Mason Plumlee also resigned with the Clippers, who was a solid backup center behind Ivica Zubac. Plumlee’s rebounding, passing, and improved free-throw shooting make him an important asset to a consistently talented Clippers bench. Continuity is an important (and underrated) part of winning a championship, as not only have the healthiest teams won the NBA championship over the past five seasons, but the teams with the greatest continuity and chemistry have also won. Leonard and George are heading into their fifth season together. The continuity is there, in addition to a deep and talented roster with similar players from years past (apart from a few minor changes). Crucial role players like Terance Mann, Nicolas Batum, Marcus Morris Sr., and Ivica Zubac are all still on the Clippers next season, and they were all vital to their 2021 WCF run. The only thing left is for Leonard and George to stay healthy for an entire season and playoff run. If that happens, there’s no telling how far the Clippers could go in next year’s playoffs. The Clippers win nearly 70 percent of games where Leonard and George play, so there’s enough evidence to show how successful this team can be when healthy. The downside is the western conference will have intense competition next year with the Denver Nuggets coming off a championship, the super-team Phoenix Suns, the revamped Golden State Warriors, and the extremely deep LA Lakers. Trading for James Harden could help the Clippers, but it may not be worth giving up Terance Mann and other important role players. However, the Clippers have a prime opportunity to make their first NBA Finals run in franchise history, but will they prevail, or will injuries facilitate another early playoff exit?
