Clippers duo Kawhi Leonard and Paul George enjoy winning return to action

Los Angeles Clippers duo Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have been in nice kind and good humour towards the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday, because the pair marked their return from damage with a 119-117 win on the Spectrum Heart.

In Leonard’s return from a sprained ankle, the Clippers went to the two-time Finals MVP with the sport on the road – and he obliged. Certainly, Leonard had 16 factors, together with an 18-foot jumper with 1.4 seconds to carry the Los Angeles Clippers to a 119-117 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Monday evening in his return from having been side-lined for weeks.

“I do not assume anyone loves enjoying this recreation greater than me,” Leonard mentioned. “It offers me pleasure when I can play. And it was nice that I used to be capable of make that shot.

“My team-mates trusted me. I used to be capable of get in my spot and my workforce gave me house. I used to be capable of knock down a shot.”

By the way, this was simply his sixth recreation of the season after lacking all of 2021-22 on account of a torn proper ACL.

His partner-in-crime, Paul George, additionally got here again from a strained hamstring to attain 19 factors together with seven assists for the Clippers, who snapped a two-game shedding streak.

Reggie Jackson and Nic Batum every had 13 factors, and John Wall added 12 factors and 12 assists off the bench.

George, who missed the earlier seven video games with a proper hamstring pressure, shot 8-of-15 and completed with a team-high 19 factors and 7 assists in 28 minutes. Luke Kennard, who missed 9 straight video games with a strained proper calf, had 9 factors.

“That is actually an incredible alternative to type of get again on monitor,” George mentioned. “We have been enjoying nicely once we have been wholesome and now we will begin constructing towards the workforce we have been attempting to be.”

LA led by seven with 6:32 remaining, however the Hornets fought again and took a 117-115 lead with 1:34 to go. However George tapped an offensive rebound to Leonard beneath the basket for a game-tying layup.

The Clippers star had the chance to make the end himself, however introduced it again out to the fitting nook, handed to John Wall, who ultimately set Leonard up for the ultimate shot.

Despite the fact that it is solely early December, the Clippers are feeling the urgency of getting needed to go an extended stretch of time with out their two largest stars. With solely 4 video games to indicate this season for his or her shared time, there’s loads for the pair to make up for within the coming weeks of one other stacked schedule, particularly if they’re to make the playoffs.