Leonard credits coach Ty Lue for maintaining positive approach during team's recent turnaround.
The Los Angeles Clippers notched another victory in their recent hot streak, taking down the Brooklyn Nets 121-105 on Friday night, and according to star forward Kawhi Leonard, head coach Ty Lue deserves plenty of credit for keeping the team focused through difficult stretches.
Kawhi Leonard Credits Ty Lue's Approach
After the game, Leonard shared his thoughts on what Lue has brought to the table during the Clippers' turnaround after a rough start to the season.
"He's doing a good job… We have those headache moments, bad decision moments. But he's staying positive and showing up every day," Leonard said about his head coach following Friday's win.
The Clippers improved to 14-23 with the victory, continuing a surge that has seen them win eight of their last ten games after stumbling to a dismal start through November and early December.
Leonard, who finished the night with 26 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals, has been a driving force during this stretch, and James Harden led all scorers with 31 points while going 10-of-13 from the field.
While the team has struggled with consistency and sits in 11th place in the Western Conference, Lue's steady presence and positive mindset have kept the locker room engaged and the team competitive despite multiple injuries and early-season struggles.
Reserve guard Jordan Miller also chipped in with 21 points off the bench, making his first six shots of the game and showcasing the depth that Lue has worked to develop throughout the season.
Clippers' Recent Turnaround
The victory over Brooklyn marked the Clippers' eighth win in ten games, a dramatic improvement from the 21 losses they accumulated in their first 27 contests.
Los Angeles had dropped to 6-21 before this recent surge began in late December, and the team's renewed energy has coincided with better health from Leonard and more consistent play from their star duo of Leonard and Harden.
The win also came on the front end of a back-to-back, as the Clippers were set to face the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night.
The Clippers showed no signs of fatigue against Brooklyn, controlling the game from start to finish and never allowing the Nets to make it close in the second half.
Looking at Leonard specifically, he continues to play at an elite level while averaging 28.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game on the season.
His consistency has been critical for Los Angeles, and his praise for Lue reflects the strong relationship between the veteran star and his coach, who previously won an NBA championship together with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016.
Preview: Clippers vs. Pistons
The Clippers now turn their attention to Saturday's matchup with the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena, and they'll face a tough test against one of the NBA's best teams.
Detroit enters the game with a league-leading 28-9 record and currently sits atop the Eastern Conference standings, making them a formidable opponent for a Los Angeles squad playing the second night of a back-to-back.
The Pistons have been led by star guard Cade Cunningham, who is averaging 26.7 points per game this season, and they boast one of the league's top defenses while allowing just 111.6 points per contest.
However, Cunningham was listed as questionable for Saturday's game with a right wrist sprain after sitting out Detroit's previous contest against Chicago.
For the Clippers, the injury report remains relatively clean heading into Saturday's game, though they'll need to manage minutes carefully with the quick turnaround.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST as Los Angeles looks to extend their winning ways against the conference leaders.