Kawhi Leonard Out For Game 3 Against Suns

Kawhi Leonard is the latest NBA star dealing with an injury. Unfortunately, Leonard’s injury will sideline him for the Los Angeles Clippers Game 3 matchup with the Phoenix Suns. According to the injury report, Leonard will be out with a knee sprain. The Clippers were already without Paul George for the entire first round. Now, the team will be without another massive star. Leonard’s absence will be huge on how the Clippers will be able to perform on Thursday night.

The Suns tied the series with their Game 2 victory. Now they will look to kick the Clippers while they’re down and take the first game in Los Angeles. All eyes will be on the newest Clippers member Russell Westbrook. Westbrook has seemed to find the right situation in his tenure with the other Los Angeles team. But Westbrook won’t be able to carry the entire load. As the Suns are stacked with talent looking to put an exclamation point on this series.

Kawhi Leonard’s Absence Will Be Huge Test For Clippers

The Suns quickly became a popular pick to win the Western Conference. After the team added Kevin Durant, they have looked nearly unstoppable. Game 1 of this series was the first time the Suns lost with Durant in the lineup. The loss led to one media member asking Devin Booker a bizarre question after the Suns answered back with a victory of their own. Booker was asked if the Game 2 victory was needed in order for the Suns to have faith in Durant being on the team. A question that Booker quickly laughed about.

Leonard has been a focal point of the Clippers all season. The presence of the former Finals MVP has been massive in the absence of George. Now the team will look to take the lead in the series without their two biggest stars. Can the Clippers win without Kawhi Leonard in the lineup? Do the Suns have a prime opportunity to put the series out of reach in Los Angeles? Please give us your thoughts on the Clippers-Suns series in the comment section. For the latest NBA news, keep it right here with HNHH.

Russell Westbrook Gives Suns Fan A Taking To In Full Uniform: Watch

Russell Westbrook has been hit with a whole lot of disrespect this season. Overall, Russ remains one of the best point guards of the last decade. However, his play with the Los Angeles Lakers over the last season and a half was truly horrendous. Now, he is on the Los Angeles Clippers who are in tough against the Phoenix Suns. The Suns have Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, while the Clippers will have to play the first round without Paul George. Needless to say, Russ has been put in a fairly precarious and difficult situation.

Last night, Russell Westbrook and the Clippers ended up stunning the Phoenix Suns. Despite the Suns being favored, it became apparent very fast that they have no depth. If they want to win, they will need Kevin Durant and Booker to combine for 80-90 points per night. Ultimately, this is not sustainable, and Westbrook found himself taking full advantage. Although, this did not stop the star from being hit with a steady stream of slander. In fact, the clip below shows Russ confronting a fan who was way out of line.

Russell Westbrook Was Ready To Go

As you can see, the fan is sitting in some sort of lounge. He has a baseball cap, a polo shirt, and some Jordans on. Meanwhile, he appears to be drinking a beer with a kid in the vicinity. This room leads out to the court, which is a pretty bad design if you ask us. Nonetheless, Russell Westbrook has some words for the man as he was sick of some of the disrespect. That’s when Westbrook got particularly heated, saying “Watch your mouth motherf*cker.” Simply put, he was not going to allow himself to be talked to that way.

At this point, Russell Westbrook is probably never going to not be subjected to this kind of slander. However, it is good to see him standing up for himself. Hopefully, he can continue to prove all of those doubters wrong. Let us know what you think of the confrontation, in the comments down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the sports world.

Ty Lue Comments On Paul George’s Availability

Ty Lue spoke with the media on Friday, ahead of the Clippers playoff start. The Clippers will open playoff play with a difficult matchup against the Phoenix Suns. However, the Clippers may not be at full strength during the series with the Suns. Clippers star forward Paul George has been out since March, dealing with an injury. George missing the series against the Suns will put the Clippers in a massive hole. But Lue isn’t worried about rushing George back into the lineup.

“We’re definitely not gonna do anything to hurt PG even if he does try to come back. If he’s not right, then we’re not gonna let him injure himself and make it worse than what it really is.” It has recently been reported that George wouldn’t be available for the series against the Suns. Now it looks like Lue is confirming that report without actually confirming it. The loss will be huge in regards to how the Clippers will defend Phoenix star Kevin Durant. Without George, the Clippers will need to look to Kawhi Leonard for a great defensive performance.

Ty Lue Will Not Rush Paul George Back

A lot of teams have dealt with the injury bug. Recently the New Orleans Pelicans dealt with a big injury in Zion Williamson. Williamson’s absence from the team was a factor in the team missing the playoffs. Not only will the Clippers be dealing with injuries. But so will the Phoenix Suns. Suns guard Chris Paul isn’t 100%, as well as Durant. However, neither team will be looking to blame injuries on their playoff success.

Lue knows just how important George is to the Clippers, But that doesn’t mean rushing back his star player to further damage him physically. George’s injury couldn’t have come at a worse time. However, that is how it goes sometimes. Injuries are unexpected and a part of the game. Ty Lue and the Clippers are just unfortunate victims of the circumstances. Without George, do the Clippers stand a chance against the Suns? Please give us your thoughts on the state of the Clippers in the comment section. For the latest NBA Playoff news, keep it right here with HNHH.

Doc Rivers On Why His Clippers Team Couldn’t Win The Big One

Doc Rivers is in a great opportunity to win his second NBA title as a head coach. The Philadelphia 76ers head man was asked on Thursday if his Sixers remind him of any of his former teams. Rivers answered that if it would be any team, it would be his champion Celtics. However, Rivers may have let the answer slip as to why the Los Angeles Clippers couldn’t win the championship during his tenure there. Rivers’ Clippers teams were some of the most talented of their era. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin highlighted the fast-paced offense. However, the team chemistry never felt right.

“Not trying to take anything away from that [Clippers] team. That team was never going to win… we just didn’t get along well enough as a group & you can’t win without cooperation.” Those were part of Rviers’ comments on Thursday’s edition of NBA Today. The former Clippers headman felt the team could never communicate on the same page. An idea that was always tossed around but never publicly stated by someone in Rivers’ position. The Clippers never made the Western Conference Finals under Rivers. A stat that still haunts the franchise to this day.

Doc Rivers Blames Chemistry During Clippers Run

However, the Clippers have found success in recent years. The franchise made the Western Conference Finals in the first season of the man who took Rivers’ gig as head coach, Ty Lue. Now the Clippers are once again attempting to make the journey to the NBA Finals. The Clippers will meet the Phoenix Suns in the first round this post-season. A matchup filled with superstar matchups. But the Clippers will be without one of their stars in, Paul George.

Rivers, on the other hand, may have one of the best teams he has ever coached this season. The pairing of Embiid and James Harden has been a dominant duo all season long. Now the Sixers will try to culminate a successful season with a ring. Will Doc Rivers win his second ring as a head coach? Or will another failed bid continue the storyline that Rivers has done the least with the most talent as a head coach? Give us your thoughts on the topic in the comment section. For the latest news involving the NBA, keep it right here with HNHH.

[Via]

SOURCE SPORTS: Russell Westbrook Says There’s No Beef with Kevin Durant Ahead of NBA Playoffs Matchup

Russell Westbrook to Join L.A. Clippers Following Jazz Buyout

The NBA Playoffs will begin this Saturday, and one of the stellar first-round matchups will pair the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. That means more battles between old teammates Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

Will there be beef between the two ball players over their Oklahoma City Thunder days? Not according to Westbrook.

“I think people still think like there’s some beef or something,” Westbrook said to ESPN. “There’s no beef, so I think that’s the good narrative for media, for people to talk about.

“But there’s no beef. I got nothing but respect for him and things he’s done with his career and having to see him back from injury. There’s no beef at all. But he knows I’m going to compete and I know he’s going to compete and that’s all it is.”

The series will open in the Valley of the Sun with an 8:00 pm EDT start on TNT.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Russell Westbrook Says There’s No Beef with Kevin Durant Ahead of NBA Playoffs Matchup appeared first on The Source.

Paul George Confident In Clippers Ability Against Lakers

Paul George is expected to miss the Los Angeles Clippers first-round playoff matchup. Unfortunately, the Clippers are in desperate need of George’s presence as they will meet the Phoenix Suns. Los Angeles has a good chance of not seeing either team from the city advance past the first round. However, it feels that a Clippers-Lakers rivalry is finally a thing in the city of Angels. On a recent episode of Podcast P with Paul George, George talked about the Clippers recent success over the Lakers.

“We got their number. Just match up well against the Lakers. We got bodies to guard Bron, we got playmakers, we got scorers, we got defenders.” The opinion is spot on when taking a closer look at the recent history between the teams. The Lakers haven’t beaten the Clippers since the bubble. Since then, it feels that the franchise has been trending in the opposite direction. The Clippers are seemingly a matchup nightmare for the Lakers.

Paul George Isn’t Worried About The Lakers

George’s comments may create a war of words between the fan bases. However, what he said isn’t a lie. The Clippers have built a roster that can defend LeBron James. Clippers star Kawhi Leonard has been one of James’ most notable rivals. As the two battled it out during the Heat-Spurs Finals matchups. Now it seems like there could be a potential change of the guard in Los Angeles. Obviously, the Lakers will always be the greatest franchise in Los Angeles. But the Clippers can say they have owned the Lakers in recent memory. Although the Lakers have the most recent championship.

Paul George’s absence from the Clippers has definitely built an uneasiness for the team heading into the playoffs. The Clippers will have to beat the hottest team in the NBA, the Phoenix Suns. With George’s absence, the Clippers will need to build a game plan to stop the best scorer in the league, Kevin Durant. Do the Clippers stand a chance of beating the Phoenix Suns? Drop your thoughts in the comment section below. For the latest NBA news, keep it right here at HNHH.

Paul George To Miss Start Of NBA Playoffs

Paul George hasn’t received the news he would like before the start of the NBA Playoffs. The Los Angeles Clippers star is trending toward missing the opening round. A huge loss for a team that can make an impact this postseason. According to NBA insider Shams Charania, the team is preparing for the Phoenix Suns with the thought of not having George. “[The Clippers] are gonna have to get out of this series without [Paul George] if they want a chance potentially to get him back,” Charania stated.

The loss of George will be a massive impact on the Clippers. The team’s first-round matchup will be against the Suns. A team that got massively better after the arrival of Kevin Durant. George’s injury means the Clippers will need to adjust how they defend Durant. The Clippers have the talent available to win the series. However, losing someone like George will make the journey a lot more difficult. The first game of this series is set to tip off on April 16th.

Paul George To Miss Phoenix Series

The Clippers will begin the series in Phoenix. Since the Suns are the higher seed. However, Phoenix’s place in the standings doesn’t mirror how great the team has been recently. With the addition of Durant, the Suns have been unbeatable. But in the regular season finale on Sunday, the Clippers took down the Suns 119-114. The series will feature many storylines. Including a matchup between Russell Westbrook and Durant. The two were long-time teammates in Oklahoma City. Before Durant’s departure turned them into enemies on the hardwood.

The first-round matchup between the Clippers and Suns will be a can’t miss. Clippers star Kawhi Leonard seems to always be at his best in the postseason. But if the Clippers fans want to see Paul George again, they’ll have to beat the Suns. There’s nothing like the NBA Playoffs. The time for talk is over, and the best team will show their talent on the court. Who do you believe will win this battle of stars in the first round? Please give us your predictions in the comment section. For the latest news regarding the NBA Playoffs, stay with us here at HNHH.

[Via]

Russell Westbrook Reveals Thoughts On Lakers Tenure

Russell Westbrook can never be questioned about his heart. The Clippers star gives it everything he has every time he is on the court. However, Westbrook has earned a reputation as being a player that’s hard to play with. But Clippers players feel that statement isn’t close to being true. Westbrook was a part of the Los Angeles Lakers for the last year and a half. During that time, rumors swirled that Westbrook wasn’t the right fit for LeBron and the Lakers. Westbrook publicly commented on his tenure with the Lakers.

“It was an experience. I’m past it now, in a new place, and looking forward,” stated the new Clippers star. The quick comment is the perfect summation of his time with the other Los Angeles franchise. It seemed as if Westbrook never clicked with his former team. The former league MVP’s aggressive playing nature didn’t match the offensive mindset of the Lakers. Without question, Westbrook is a future NBA Hall-of-Famer. However, his alleged attitude off the court will, unfortunately, stay with the superstar guard.

Russell Westbrook Is Past His Time With The Lakers

Westbrook seems to have the right mindset on the situation. As the former Laker got his revenge on the team who decided to move on. This past Wednesday, the Clippers defeated the Lakers for the eleventh straight time. Westbrook played a huge factor in the Clippers 125-118 victory. The Clippers star scored 14 points in just twenty minutes of action. It was a huge moment for Westbrook. However, the moment is now in the rearview as the team focuses on the playoffs. Currently, the Clippers are matched up with the Suns in the opening round of the playoffs.

Russell Westbrook has moved on, and so should everyone else. Westbrook’s time with the Lakers has no memorable moments. In fact, it could go down as one of the biggest what-ifs in NBA history. It seems that Westbrook has found a home with the Clippers. A place he had long been rumored to be a part of. Westbrook’s former Thunder teammate Paul George had been expressing his interest in teaming back up with the talented guard. For the latest NBA news, keep it right here with HNHH.

[Via]

Russell Westbrook Receives Immense Praise From New Teammates

Russell Westbrook is someone who has received a lot of criticism over the past couple of years. Overall, he has regressed in terms of his ability to shoot and rack up the triple-doubles. However, there is no doubt that he can still bring a lot of energy to a team. In fact, he has showcased just that for the Los Angeles Clippers. For the last two years, the Clippers have been a team in need of a point guard. At the tradeline, that is exactly what they secured with Westbrook’s signing.

Unfortunately for Westbrook, there were a lot of doubts concerning his new partnership. Although Paul George and Kawhi Leonard were excited to have him on the team, executives were less enthused. There were all sorts of reports claiming that the front office was apprehensive about signing him. Now, however, the Clippers seem to be playing well with Russ at the helm. In fact, he has been so good that a lot of people are beginning to change their tune. As far as his teammates are concerned, they love him.

Russell Westbrook And His New Home

Russell Westbrook #0 of the LA Clippers looks on during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on March 29, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

In a piece from the LA Times, it was written that Westbrook is seen as a “a popular addition in the locker room.” Moreover, there are various players who love his leadership. One such person is Ivica Zubac, who has seen this team develop over the past few seasons. “Honestly it’s way better than I thought it would be and he’s fitting in pretty good so far,” Zubac said. “He’s a great leader also. He’s very vocal, something we needed.” This is obviously great praise, especially with a potential playoff run on the horizon. Leonard, George, and Russ could very well form a nice big three.

The Western Conference is going to be extremely difficult to get through. Teams like the Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, and even the Sacramento Kings all have a shot at making the NBA Finals. It is going to be a lot of fun, and if Russ can play at a high level, who knows what will happen to the Clippers. Give us your predictions, in the comments section down below.

[Via]

Russell Westbrook Adds Another Accomplishment To His Career

Russell Westbrook is the most overlooked legend of his era. He is a player who gives his all every time he is on the floor. While some of his stops in his career haven’t been as successful as others. There’s no denying that Westbrook is a future Hall-of-Famer. The former league MVP has once again made the record books for another unbelievable stat. The former UCLA Bruin is the first player in NBA history to have a 30-point and 10-assist game with 5 different franchises. Just another reason to root for a guy like Westbrook.

Westbrook has spent time with the Thunder, Rockets, Wizards, Lakers, and Clippers in his 16-year career. It’s almost hard to believe that Westbrook has been in the league this long. His 2023 campaign with the Clippers has been a year of rebuilding for the point guard. Russell has played just sixteen games for the Clippers. He is averaging 15 points per game as well as nearly eight assists. Clippers teammate Paul George has long shut down talks of Russ’s attitude in the locker room. It finally feels as if Westbrook is in a good place for his mental well-being.

Russell Westbrook Continues To Leave His Mark

Russell’s latest feat truly deserves its roses. Usually, when a player has been on this many teams, they’re known as a journeyman. With Westbrook, that is not the case. At every stop in his career, Westbrook has been added as a piece to help the team achieve postseason success. No one ever expects him to be just a filler on the bench. What fans are witnessing from Westbrook will never be duplicated. Never take that for granted.

For Westbrook, it was another night, with another record. When his time is up, the future Hall-of-Famer will be in the record books for many accomplishments. Where do you stand on the greatness of Russell Westbrook? Does he take more flack than is deserved? Or does his postseason play make a case for Russ never being the guy? Leave a comment below to let us know your thoughts. For all your NBA news, stay right here with HNHH.