How will the Clippers adapt without Kawhi?
Law Murray, Clippers beat writer: If there's a team that can handle a major injury, it is the Clippers. They're the only team in the league that had two All-NBA team selections.
Losing Leonard is a blow that hits the Clippers on both ends of the floor, but George had almost all of April to lead the Clippers during a difficult stretch, and he excelled. I would expect Terance Mann to be thrust into the biggest spot of his career. He averaged 27.4 minutes per game during the 10-game stretch in April in which Leonard missed nine games.
It will be all hands on deck as the Clippers have a chance in what is now a best-of-three series against the NBA's best team.
How does this change Utah's approach?
Tony Jones, Jazz beat writer: Utah's approach with or without Leonard available has to be to raise its level from Games 3 and 4, where it didn't play well at all.
Schematically, the Clippers may be forced to go more traditional with Ivica Zubac at center. That would allow the Jazz to play the way they want. But, none of this matters for them if they play like they did this weekend.
For Utah, improving massively from the last two games, independent of Leonard, needs to be its overall focus for Game 5.
What's with all the injuries to star players?
Sam Amick, NBA senior writer: Why do the Basketball Gods hate us so? Right about the time this Jazz-Clippers series was getting good, with Leonard leading the way (again) after the Clippers' 2-0 series deficit, we get this latest round of disappointing star player health news.
When it comes to the non-COVID-19 protocol developments, it's fair to connect the dots between the rash of injuries this season and the quick turnaround after the bubble last season. We'll never know if there's a direct through-line there, but it's widely seen in league circles as a significant factor.
(Photo: Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)
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