Lue shares strategy for winning without Kawhi Leonard as young players step up during star's injury absence.
The Los Angeles Clippers were expected to be a team fighting for a playoff spot in the Western Conference this season, and after a rough 6-21 start, things looked bleak.
However, Los Angeles has turned things around in a big way and now holds an 18-23 record while riding a five-game winning streak heading into Monday's matchup against the Washington Wizards.
Ty Lue Explains How Clippers Can Keep Winning
With star forward Kawhi Leonard sidelined by a knee contusion and right ankle sprain, head coach Ty Lue was asked how the Clippers can continue their hot streak without their best player.
His answer was simple and pointed to the team's growing depth.
"Just trying to find ways to win...our young guys are getting a chance to actually play, and actually mature...it's going to be a collective effort," Lue said.
That collective effort has been on full display during the team's recent 12-2 run since December 20, which ranks as the best stretch in the league during that span.
The defense has been the key during this stretch, as Los Angeles ranks second in points allowed over these 14 games.
Young Players Stepping Up
The young players that Lue mentioned have made a real difference for the Clippers and earned praise from their head coach after Friday's overtime win in Toronto.
Jordan Miller has been a standout off the bench, averaging 14.8 points per game over his last five contests while shooting 58.5 percent from the field and 47.4 percent from three-point range.
In the win over the Raptors, Miller played 46 minutes and finished with 19 points, six assists, and four steals.
Rookie Kobe Sanders has also stepped into a larger role than anyone expected, averaging 6.5 points and 2.3 rebounds per game this season while earning starts when injuries hit the roster.
Sanders contributed 13 points in the Toronto win and hit a clutch free throw with seven seconds left to seal the victory.
The Kawhi Difference
When Leonard is healthy, he transforms the Clippers into a dangerous team that can beat anyone in the West.
Through 30 games this season, he is averaging a career-high 28.2 points along with 6.3 rebounds and 2.2 steals while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field.
During his recent 13-game stretch before the injury, Leonard was putting up 32.7 points per game and looked like an MVP candidate.
The Clippers are 3-8 this season when Leonard sits, which shows just how important he is to their success.
However, the emergence of young players like Miller and Sanders gives Los Angeles hope that they can hold things together until their star returns, which could come as soon as Thursday against the Lakers at Intuit Dome.