Keaton Wagler is two games into his NBA career, and though the Los Angeles Clippers dropped their latest contest, Wagler has impressed his coach.

Wagler is averaging 14 points on 37% shooting from the field and 45% from three-point range, along with four rebounds and four assists. He does have 2.5 turnovers.

On Friday, the Clippers took on the Los Angeles Lakers, and though Wagler struggled with his shot, going 2-for-8 from the field, he did have three assists. He also had four turnovers, but Clippers head coach Ty Lue liked what he saw from the fifth overall pick.

“I thought he was good. Reading the game, understanding they were playing some untraditional defensive schemes. He handled it well… I like his poise, I like his ability to make plays and take shots as well,” Lue said after the game.

Though Wagler didn’t enter the starting lineup despite an injury to Max Strus to start the season, he’s playing 26 minutes a night and being trusted with running the second team offense. His 20.7% usage rate is fourth on the team.

The returns on Wagler were good against the Sacramento Kings, as he helped the Clippers secure a 121-96 victory, finishing with 15 points on 4-for-8 shooting, 3-for-6 from three, along with five rebounds, five assists, two steals, and only one turnover.

Though he struggled against the Lakers, they are a much better team that could afford to throw different looks and put higher-quality defenders on him.

Through two games, the Clippers offense has been better with Wagler on the court than it has with him off.

The sample size is small, but if the Clippers were hoping that the pairing of Darius Garland and Wagler would work, early returns aren’t good. They have a -14.5 net rating in 27 minutes together. Wagler on with Garland off is a +27.3 net rating, while Garland on and Wagler off is a +5.8 net rating.

Wagler is showing the ability to handle the offense without Garland, who had been fantastic to start the season. That is a positive sign for the Clippers moving forward when they eventually get Max Strus and Brandon Ingram back in the lineup, as it will give Lue the ability to stagger Garland and Wagler.

Wagler has shown strong chemistry with Brook Lopez early in the season, which isn’t surprising given Lopez’ ability to create space either with his body or his shooting.

While the Clippers certainly want the pairing of Wagler and Garland to work out, they’ll be happy having two creators splitting time.