A 14-3 stretch has the Los Angeles Clippers now back in the playoff race in the Western Conference, following their win on Thursday night against the LA Lakers. A season that seemed as if it was over before it barely got started, the Clippers have climbed the standings and don't seem to be stopping anytime soon.

While James Harden and Kawhi Leonard have been the driving force behind their success, it's also been the role players who have been stepping it up, and not the ones the Clippers expected to be doing so. Two of them have been Jordan Miller and Kobe Sanders, who have solidified themselves a role in this rotation.

The leading scorer this season for the Clippers, and likely to make his seventh All-Star appearance this season, Leonard was asked after the win on Thursday he if had any advice for the young wings, a position he was in during the early 2010s in San Antonio.

"I've been telling them to keep being aggressive. I don't care if you make or miss. Just with me, you're just gonna get better at it because you're in the game. Don't shy away from the moment, and then, I mean, they getting open looks at times," Leonard said.

Despite being converted to a two-way contract, Miller has been strong for the Clippers as of late, averaging 14.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.2 steals over his past five games. Sanders hasn't been as impressive as of late, but has averaged 11.8 points on 40.6% three-point shooting as a starter this season (eight starts)

"At times, you see them attacking the paint, getting fouls, shooting mid-range pull-ups. They just got to keep at it, keep at it, and don't let nobody discourage them," Leonard added.

The expectation was that the Clippers would have a veteran-filled rotation featuring Derrick Jones Jr, Bradley Beal, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Brook Lopez, and Chris Paul, but that has been far from the reality. In addition, Cam Christie and Yanic Konan Niederhauser have had flashes as well, indicating this team's future potential.

However, what matters is being consistent, especially for Miller and Sanders, as they hold key roles in the team now. With every game making a difference, the Clippers can't afford to lose winnable games from here on out and put themselves in a position to potentially fall out of the play-in tournament seeding.

The Clippers close out their homestand on Sunday when the Brooklyn Nets come to town for a 9:00 p.m. EST tip-off.