Deadspin | Streaky Clippers dealing with issues with Magic up next

[ad_1] Feb 20, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; LA Clippers ahead Kawhi Leonard (2) dribbles the ball in opposition to Los Angeles Lakers heart Deandre Ayton (5) within the second half at Crypto.com Area. Necessary Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Photos The Orlando Magic sustained a double-overtime loss in Phoenix on the entrance finish of a back-to-back after which hopped a airplane for the flight to Los Angeles.

Although the Clippers, their subsequent opponent, are well-rested, it may not be a foul time for Orlando to face a crew on shaky floor.

The Magic play the third contest of a four-game tour on Sunday night time after they go to the Clippers at Inglewood, Calif.

The Clippers began poorly this season, going 6-21 earlier than streaking with 16 wins in 19 video games after which splitting their previous 10.

However they traded James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier this month, leaving Kawhi Leonard with out a high-scoring operating mate.

Leonard additionally does not sound too eager concerning the crew's championship probabilities as he expressed his doubts after Thursday's 115-114 residence win over the Denver Nuggets.

"I feel it is over now," Leonard advised reporters. "It is the second half, like (last) fourth of the season left, however day by day is a day to develop, a day to be taught and get higher. So, you simply acquired to maintain trying over time and see in two weeks if we're getting higher, and see what occurs from there."

Clippers coach Tyronn Lue tried harm management the next day, saying he interpreted Leonard's feedback as which means there was change within the group.

Lue mentioned he has no doubts -- even at two video games beneath .500 -- that the Clippers can put collectively a postseason run.

"I simply really feel assured. I simply really feel assured in our gamers," Lue mentioned. "I really feel assured in our teaching workers and I simply really feel assured within the surroundings, just like the tradition we have set. And why would not you wish to play to win?

"That is our mindset. That is my mindset each single night time. And as powerful as it might be otherwise you begin 6-21 or no matter it might be, you are enjoying to win. And so, we make the playoffs after which something can occur."

Leonard sprained his left ankle throughout Friday's 125-122 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers and is listed as questionable for Sunday. He has scored 20 or extra factors in every of his final 35 appearances.

Orlando opened its highway journey by making a franchise-record 27 3-pointers in a 131-94 rout of the lowly Sacramento Kings on Thursday.

The chance to be 2-0 on the journey was there with Phoenix taking pictures simply 34.2% from the sector over 58 minutes on Saturday. However Jalen Inexperienced (who was 6 of 26) drained a game-winning trey because the second OT ended to provide the Suns a 113-110 win.

"Our guys fought to the tip minus our bodies," Magic coach Jamahl Mosley mentioned. "However we have to verify we proceed to do the little issues."

Guard Jalen Suggs (again) missed the competition and is listed as questionable for Sunday's recreation. Standout Franz Wagner (left ankle) is not on the journey and is out indefinitely.

Desmond Bane scored 34 factors and Paolo Banchero had 26 factors, 14 rebounds, eight assists and 4 blocked pictures for Orlando.

Mosley was beaming about Banchero's all-around play.

"He is a younger man that continues to get downhill, created double groups, acquired plenty of guys wide-open seems," Mosley mentioned about Banchero. "We have got to step in and knock these down.

"He attacked the basket a ton. Wasn't getting the decision essentially going his method, however I liked the best way that he was attacking downhill, being aggressive in these conditions."

Orlando defeated the visiting Clippers 129-101 on Nov. 20 within the first assembly. Leonard was sidelined with foot and ankle accidents.

--Subject Degree Media

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Deadspin | Streaky Clippers dealing with issues with Magic up next

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