Stamping authority
Paul George scored a team high 24 points as the Los Angeles Clippers clobbered the Los Angeles Lakers 118-94 on Thursday to sweep the season series between the two California rivals.
While the Clippers are getting healthy at just the right time, the Lakers season is slipping away with their two biggest stars, LeBron James and Anthony Davis nursing ongoing injuries.
“I only came here to win a championship and if we don’t do that we go back to zero.
We all know that in the locker room,” said guard Rajon Rondo, who was one of seven Clippers in double figures with 11 points.
The Lakers got more bad news Thursday when Davis left the game in the first quarter and did not return because of back spasms.
James and Davis have missed large chunks of the season and once again the reigning NBA champions looked lost on the floor without their primary ball handlers.
Not only are the Clippers healthy again but they are back sharing the ball.“We have the DNA,” said Rondo.
“We have the blueprint in this locker room to do it. It’s just a matter of coming together and believing in one another.”
Superstar Kawhi Leonard played in his third straight game after missing nine games in April with a sore right foot and point guard Patrick Beverley was in his second game since rejoining the team for a 105-100 win over Toronto on Tuesday.
Leonard had 15 points, eight rebounds and six assists as the Clippers swept the Lakers during the regular season for the first time since 2016.
Kyle Kuzma scored 25 points to become just one of two Lakers in double figures scoring.
Both James and Davis have made their returns from long injury layoffs only to go back to the infirmary late in the season when they are needed the most.
Davis played nine minutes of the first quarter and had four points. He stepped awkwardly and went down with a twisted ankle before limping off to the dressing room. - AFP
