Sitting 11th in the Western Conference, it feels like this news should have zero impact on the Bulls. However, if we take a glance at the league-wide standings, it’s a different story. New Orleans sits just 3.0 games ahead of Chicago with the league’s 1oth-worst record. Sandwiched in between the two is Sacramento, who is two 2.0 games ahead of the Bulls.
The Pelicans were thought to be making a final push for the 10th play-in spot. Landing in that spot by May 16th would have been difficult, but they still had a 17.6 percent chance to do so, according to Basketball-Reference’s Playoff Probabilities Report. Now, with Williamson out, it’s hard not to worry that plan has been reversed. The team has games against the 76ers, Hornets, Grizzlies, Mavericks, Warriors, and Lakers to finish out their regular season. All are teams who are in the postseason picture as of now. In other words, all are teams who could pretty easily help the Pelicans significantly improve their lottery odds.
LA Clippers Star Kawhi Leonard (Foot) Doubtful to Play in Showdown with Suns
LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard had his status upgraded ahead of Wednesday s showdown with the Phoenix Suns, though it s still unlikely that he plays.
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LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard had his status upgraded ahead of Wednesday s showdown with the Phoenix Suns, though it s still unlikely that he plays.
The LA Clippers released a lengthy injury report on Tuesday evening, a little more than 24 hours ahead of their all-important showdown with the Phoenix Suns. Included on the list of injured players is Kawhi Leonard, who is considered doubtful to play.
Clippers Star Kawhi Leonard Sidelined with Foot Soreness; Will be Reevaluated Next Week
LA Clippers All-Star Kawhi Leonard will be sidelined for the next week while he deals with foot soreness.
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LA Clippers All-Star Kawhi Leonard will be sidelined for the next week while he deals with foot soreness.
LA Clippers All-Star Kawhi Leonard will be sidelined for at least a week while he continues to manage right foot soreness, the team announced on Tuesday afternoon. Leonard will be reevaluated next week.
This is a tough blow for Leonard and the Clippers, who have been rolling as of late. LA has won 14 of its last 17 games and has gradually moved within striking distance of the Phoenix Suns for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference standings. If Leonard s injury proves to be more of a long-term issue, their chances of moving up may be in jeopardy.
Damian Lillard and Jusuf Nurkic Both OUT vs. LA Clippers
The Trail Blazers will be shorthanded against LA on Tuesday night.
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The Trail Blazers will be shorthanded against LA on Tuesday night.
The Portland Trail Blazers announced on Monday that both Damian Lillard and Jusuf Nurkic will sit out Tuesday’s game against the LA Clippers.
Lillard will sit with a hamstring injury, while Nurkic will sit with “injury management,” likely related to the fractured right wrist that kept him out for over two months earlier in the season.
Without the Blazers’ MVP candidate and their starting center, Portland will no-doubt have a hard time generating offense against a Clippers squad that ranks tenth in the league in defensive rating. They will still have CJ McCollum, who is averaging a career-high 23.4 points per game, in addition to newly added wing Norman Powell, whom the Blazers traded for at the trade deadline.
LA Clippers Star Kawhi Leonard (Foot) Questionable vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is questionable to play against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night.
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LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is questionable to play against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night.
After missing his fourth-straight game on Friday night, LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is officially listed as questionable to make his return for Sunday s contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Clippers announced this evening.
Leonard has been struggling with a sore foot over the last several games, and his status has previously been described as day-to-day by Clippers coach Tyronn Lue. He was considered questionable ahead of Friday s bout with the Philadelphia 76ers, but he ultimately sat out. Despite traveling with the team for their three-game road trip, Leonard was not active for any of the contests.