Baba Miller hasn’t exactly been given a real runway by Tyronn Lue, but the numbers are starting to make the case for him anyway.
The second-round pick has climbed to 10.5 minutes per game, though that figure doesn’t tell the full story. A closer look at the game log shows most of those minutes have come in garbage time or when the Clippers have been forced to patch things together because another big man was out, such as Isaiah Jackson against the New Orleans Pelicans. Even with that limited role, Miller still hasn’t been able to crack a steady spot in the active rotation.
And yet he’s doing more with his minutes than almost anyone else on the roster.
Among Clippers players who qualify with at least 10 minutes per game, Miller leads the team in net rating at 6.5. On a 2-8 team, that jumps off the page.
Los Angeles has spent most of the season getting outscored, which naturally drags advanced numbers into the mud. That’s why only four Clippers players have a positive net rating right now, and Miller is one of them.
The gap between his impact and his usage looks even more striking when stacked against the other bigs. Brook Lopez sits at -0.3 in net rating, while Jackson owns the worst mark on the team at -20.4.
Miller’s value shows up in a few different ways. He can score, he can hold up on defense, and he’s chipped in on the glass, which is an area the Clippers badly need help in. At 22, he’s already giving them something tangible every time he gets on the floor.
His outing against the Phoenix Suns was the clearest example. In just 16 minutes, he finished tied for the team lead in points and did it while shooting 100% from the field.
He also posted a team-best +9, and he was one of only two Clippers to finish with a positive plus-minus, alongside Jalen Pickett. That kind of line doesn’t just look good on paper - it tracks with the sense that the game tilts a little when Miller is out there.
Based on what he’s shown so far, there’s a strong argument that Miller belongs in the rotation. He’s outperformed Isaiah Jackson and has done enough to earn more consistent run. If Lue doesn’t make that adjustment, the Clippers may be leaving one of their most effective pieces on the sideline.
In Other News...
Clippers Linked To Rival Trade Idea Fans Will Hate
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For the Clippers, the wrinkle is obvious: Jones has value as a defender and has a history with Doncic from the 2024 Finals, but the idea only gains traction if he is open to a change of scenery. If talks ever moved beyond the rumor stage, the return being discussed would give the Clippers a chance to reshape the roster while the Lakers keep chasing the kind of defensive identity that has helped fuel their strong start. [Read more 🡒]
Clippers Face A Different Thunder Test Depending On One Rising Scorer
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Oklahoma City has several other players listed out or questionable, which only adds to the uncertainty around how the Thunder will line up. For the Clippers, the wrinkle is less about one name on the injury report than the ripple effect it creates, because Mitchells presence or absence changes the balance of a matchup that already comes with plenty of moving parts. [Read more 🡒]
Clippers Had One Answer When OKC Tried To Take This One Late
Nikola Topic finally got back on the floor for Oklahoma City after a long stretch of recovery from multiple injuries and health issues, and the third-year guard gave the Thunder a little bit of everything in his season debut. He chipped in rebounds, assists and steals while easing back into game action, a small but meaningful development for a team that needed any kind of lift in a tight matchup with the Clippers.
The Thunder still had a chance to steal it late behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who poured in 40 points and kept them within striking distance all night. But Oklahoma City could not quite finish the push, and the result added another frustrating chapter to a three-game skid, even with Topics return offering at least one encouraging sign for what comes next. [Read more 🡒]