The Clippers leaders Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and Russell Westbrook had shocking games against Dallas in Game 3.
Russ, Kawhi and Paul George combined for just 17 points TOTAL in their 101-90 loss to the Mavs.
Kawhi played 25 minutes and totalled nine points, nine rebounds and four turnovers, but was clearly not 100 percent due to knee inflammation.
But, he was happy to just be on the floor after missing the last eight regular-season games and the first playoff game of the series.
“Just playing minutes,” Leonard said. “And obviously not playing probably the last whatever days that was from the last game before playoffs started. It takes time to get in a rhythm, like I was saying before. I’m just happy I played. For the most part, was able to get out there and experience the game … I’m going to keep going.”
As for George, he managed just seven points, after shooting 3-11 from the field and 1-6 from three and picking up five fouls.
“I thought this was playoff basketball,” George said. “A couple of them have been touch fouls. I don’t know. Defense can be physical, they can be aggressive on me on the other side of it, I pick up quick, cheap ones and it’s frustrating.
“But I got to be better. I got to be better, because I felt good rhythm-wise to start the game off and the pick up those [fouls] and get sent to the bench and then it just felt like the whole game I couldn’t find how to be aggressive and create contact and balance all of that while trying to stay within the offense and move the ball and play off the ball, play aggressive and downhill. It was just a lot I was thinking about. Took me out of my game. I got to be better. It really was frustrating, though.”
Westbrook is usually pretty solid off the bench, but the nine-time All-Star only had a single point after playing 19 minutes. He shot 2-9 from the field and 1-3 from three. He was also ejected after getting into with Luka Doncic and Terance Mann.
Game 4 is fast approaching and Clippers forward Kawhi says he will be taking the court at this stage.
“The way it is right now, I’ll see tomorrow,” Leonard said. “But I want to play. So…”
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