The Los Angeles Clippers are still ironing out some frustrating kinks as they gear up for their final preseason showdown—could this be the moment that turns their potential into playoff dominance? With just one more game on the horizon, head coach Tyronn Lue has a golden opportunity to experiment with various player combinations and strategic plays before the regular season officially begins next week. That crucial matchup comes Friday night against the Golden State Warriors, where every possession truly matters as the preseason wraps up.
Yet, Lue isn't rushing into firm decisions on who will claim the fifth spot in the starting lineup or how the bench players will blend together. Building a cohesive team, he believes, requires patience and real-game experience.
'It'll probably take us about 15 to 20 games into the season to truly grasp our rotations, team dynamics, how we want to execute our plays, and which players mesh best,' Lue shared with reporters on Wednesday following the Clippers' decisive 109-91 win over the Sacramento Kings, boosting their preseason record to 2-1 (as detailed in this OC Register article). 'I'm really looking forward to that process.'
The Clippers are dealing with some noticeable challenges, particularly in their primary starting group, according to Lue. He pointed out an excess of turnovers—those costly mistakes where players lose possession of the ball, often leading to easy points for the opponent—especially from the starters, who racked up six. The spacing on the court, which refers to how players position themselves to create open shots, also struggled at times during Wednesday's game. Veteran guard James Harden, a 11-time All-Star, contributed three of the team's 13 total turnovers and didn't connect on any of his six three-point attempts, highlighting areas for improvement.
'Defensively, the starters performed admirably,' Lue noted. 'But offensively, we fell short. Our spacing was off, and we made unnecessary turnovers that we could have avoided.'
But here's where it gets controversial: Is Lue's laid-back approach the right strategy, or should he be pushing harder to solidify his lineup earlier? Many fans might argue that preseason is the perfect time to experiment without the pressure of standings, while others could say that delaying decisions might leave the team vulnerable in the early season games. And this is the part most people miss—the Clippers still have plenty of time to refine these issues. 'We need to keep building on our strengths,' Lue added. 'We've got the time to focus on what matters and get it right.'
On the brighter side, Lue isn't losing sleep over the bench squad, where backup center Brook Lopez and power forward John Collins have formed a formidable duo that's tough to stop. Together, they powered the Clippers with 40 points and 10 rebounds in the victory against the Kings, showcasing their synergy.
'It's just incredible. We've got such a skilled group on the reserves,' Lopez remarked about a bench unit that also features seasoned point guard Chris Paul, forward Nicolas Batum, and guard Kris Dunn. 'Everyone out there has the ability to score effectively. It's all about building trust, letting the ball move freely across the court, and keeping plays flowing. If we stay consistent with that, the results will follow.'
'It’s almost intimidating how talented this roster could become,' Lopez continued.
While Lue hasn't fully endorsed the bench as set in stone, he acknowledges they've developed a strong rapport. 'It's reassuring to have multiple versatile options and pairings... Each game could feature different combinations, keeping things fresh and adaptable,' he explained.
For Friday's clash at Golden State, expect a shifted starting five. Key stars Kawhi Leonard and James Harden will sit out the preseason closer, and starting center Ivica Zubac's participation remains up in the air.
CLIPPERS VS. WARRIORS
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: Chase Center, San Francisco
Radio: 1150 AM
RevContent Feed
What do you think—should the Clippers prioritize speed in locking down their rotations, or is Lue's patient, data-driven method the smarter long-term play? And here's a controversial take: Could relying heavily on veterans like Paul slow down the team's youthful energy? Share your opinions in the comments below—we'd love to hear if you agree, disagree, or have your own predictions for the season ahead!
