As the Clippers finish yet another playoff run failing to meet their championship expectations and Kawhi Leonard once again finishing his season on the injured list it may be time to question if this team championship window is closed. When the Clippers acquired both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in the summer of 2019 they immediately became a title contender. They appeared to have a great chance to take over Los Angeles despite the Lakers having Lebron James and Anthony Davis. Fast forward to 2023 and the Lakers duo of James and Davis has already captured one title while the Clippers duo of Leonard and George still have yet to make a finals berth.
When healthy, both Leonard and George are still one of the premiere duos in the NBA and two of the best two way players in the league. The problem is we simply don't see them together often enough as both players have dealt with multiple injuries over the course of their Clippers tenures. Kawhi has particularly struggled with injuries such as his torn acl that cost him the entire 21-22 season. Over the years he has been known for load management where he misses games throughout the regular season to try to maintain his body for the playoffs. It worked out in his lone season with the Raptors where he missed 22 games but led Toronto to their first ever NBA title. The Clippers of course had the same aspirations when acquiring him but Leonard's availability has only worsened the last couple seasons especially come playoff time. With Kawhi unable to play after game 2 against the Suns due to a torn meniscus and George already out with a sprained knee the Clippers were defeated in the first round after just 5 games. As the health of the Clippers two best players continuing to be an issue year after year it will be hard to see them reaching their title hopes despite the talent on the roster.
Although the Clippers have come up short multiple years now, the Leonard-George era is still likely far from over as both players are under contract through next season. They both could become free agents after next season as both have player options they could opt out of next summer. Still, there is already uncertainty with next season's roster as Russell Westbrook who had been playing great in his role with the Clippers will become a free agent. The roster is also getting older as eight players currently on the roster are over 30 years of age so they may opt to the front office may make trades to go younger. Also, despite having their two best players under contract next season the lack of consistency regarding their health raises the question of if the team can be fully available when it matters most.
Year after year, the Clippers have faced disappointing playoff runs since acquiring Leonard and George. It started with their surprising loss in the 2020 playoffs in the bubble where they blew a 3-1 lead to the Nuggets who were then defeated by the eventual champion Lakers. Next season, the Clippers bounced back making their first conference finals appearance franchise history but had already lost Kawhi to a torn acl ruining what may have been their best chance to win a title. The following season, with Leonard out the entire year they missed the postseason. This year, they appeared poised to make a run as they managed to capture the 5th seed in the west despite players being in and out of the lineup. Then they were once again, struck with injures with George going down first followed by Kawhi just a couple games into their first round matchup. As the Clippers fall short yet again due in part to the continuing uncertainty regarding the availability of their best player, I feel the Clippers championship has likely closed.
-Devin Booker torches the Clippers with a 47 point performance, The Suns defeat the Clippers at home to advance to the second round of the playoffs.
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