Jordan Miller has been earning his place on the Clippers roster with a hot stretch of games.
After a season that was slowed down by a hamstring injury in the early part of the season, Jordan Miller is finally finding his stride with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The role-playing small forward has been heating up in recent games, turning in a 14 point performance in the Clippers' 117-109 win over the electric Charlotte Hornets.
The Clippers are in the midst of turning their season around after a deeply difficult start to the season and while the big name Clippers like Kawhi Leonard and James Harden have been the headline grabbing contributors to the Clippers' rise, it's role players like Miller that have shown the depth of the Los Angeles roster that hasn't always been able to shine this season.
LA Clippers guard Jordan Miller (22) dribbles the ball against Charlotte Hornets center Mason Plumlee (22) in the second half at the Intuit Dome. Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesMiller Earning His Place
Miller is on a two-way contract with the Clippers, but the way that he's been balling out lately make his chances of earning a permanent roster spot more likely by the day.
Los Angeles head coach Ty Lue would have wanted to use Miller earlier in the season when the team was drowning injuries to players like Leonard and Derrick Jones Jr., but Miller himself was sidelined due to his hamstring.
How, Miller is making the most of his opportunity and Lue is taking notice.
"We've always believed in him. He'd have played earlier this year, with a lot of injuries, but he was hurt as well so he didn't get the opportunity. We've got a lot of confidence in Jordan. The biggest confidence is he can score the basketball," Lue said (via The Sporting Tribune).
Detroit Pistons guard Caris LeVert (8) defends against LA Clippers guard Jordan Miller (22) during the second half at Little Caesars Arena. David Reginek-Imagn ImagesBoth Ends of Miller's Game
Miller has been impressing with his scoring in recent games, turning in his two highest scoring performances of the season in two of his last three games, but he's been able to contribute on the defensive end of the court as well.
He showed the full range of his skills against the Hornets and showed off the offensive instincts he has that both make him a standout scorer in his own right and his high basketball IQ that lets both his coach and his teammates put their full faith in him even in tight games.
"He knows how to play. He can get into the paint and make the right play and that's what he's been able to do," Lue said. "He made some huge stops for us on the defensive end and made some huge shots for us in that stretch in the fourth quarter as well."