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The Los Angeles Clippers' preseason got off to a rough start on Sunday as newly acquired forward Max Strus exited the game against the Golden State Warriors with a right ankle injury. The injury occurred when Strus was navigating an off-ball screen with Stephen Curry defending him, and he was visibly limping before heading to the locker room. The team later ruled him out for the remainder of the contest after he was evaluated by team doctors.
The timing couldn't be worse for the Clippers, who are already dealing with the absence of Brandon Ingram, their best player, who is expected to miss the beginning of the regular season. Ingram was acquired from the Toronto Raptors in the trade that sent Kawhi Leonard away, but his return timeline remains uncertain. With the season just weeks away, the Clippers are now facing the possibility of starting the year without two key contributors.
Fans and analysts alike have expressed sympathy for the Clippers, who are still reeling from the long-term consequences of the Kawhi Leonard punishment that stripped the franchise of valuable draft picks. Without first-round selections, the team has limited avenues for improvement, and a losing season would be especially painful as it would mean forfeiting a potential lottery pick to another team.
Key Analysis
The Western Conference is as competitive as ever, with six or seven teams seemingly locked into playoff positions. The Clippers, already playing from behind, can ill afford to fall further back. If Strus and Ingram miss significant time, the team could find itself out of the playoff race before the season even gets going. The pressure is on the current roster, led by Darius Garland, to perform at a high level and avoid a disastrous start.
Despite the injury setback, there were some positives from the preseason opener. Newly acquired Rui Hachimura impressed with 20 points in the first half, showing he could take on a larger role than he had with the Los Angeles Lakers. Garland also looked sharp, shooting perfectly from the field in the first half before getting rest. The backcourt duo of Garland and rookie Keaton Wagler will be crucial to the Clippers' success, though Wagler struggled with his shot and will need to adjust to the NBA game quickly.
With limited flexibility to make trades due to a lack of draft assets, the Clippers must rely on free agency and internal development to improve. Every player in the rotation will face added pressure, especially if Strus's injury proves to be serious. More information is expected to emerge in the coming days from Clippers practice and press conferences.
Originally reported by yahoo.