The LA Clippers have been a force to be reckoned with since mid-December, but recent injuries have thrown a wrench in their plans. Kawhi Leonard is sidelined with a left ankle sprain, and now they face another setback with Bennedict Mathurin, their standout Sixth Man, out of action.
The Clippers announced Tuesday that Mathurin will miss Wednesday's clash against the New Orleans Pelicans due to a big toe injury on his right foot. This means Mathurin will sit out all three games of the Clippers' current road trip as he undergoes treatment.
In Monday night's loss to the San Antonio Spurs, Mathurin logged 34 minutes off the bench, contributing 16 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals, shooting 5-of-12 from the field. Observers noted that he seemed to be favoring his foot afterward.
Adding to the Clippers' woes, Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland are both listed as questionable for Wednesday night's game against the Pelicans, marking the start of a back-to-back in New Orleans.
This challenging stretch concludes the team's second five-in-seven run of March. After a remarkable climb from a 6-21 start to a 34-32 record, the Clippers have dropped two straight games.
They need to maintain their momentum in the fiercely competitive Western Conference. As of Wednesday morning, the Clippers hold a precarious one-game lead over the Golden State Warriors for the eighth seed and are 1.5 games ahead of the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Clippers have a 2-1 season series lead over the Warriors, with one game left, and are up 2-0 against the Trail Blazers, with two matchups remaining. Notably, their final two games of the season pit them against the Blazers on April 10th and the Warriors on April 12th.
Bennedict Mathurin, who joined the Clippers in a trade from the Indiana Pacers in early February, has shone brightly in his new role. Over 16 games, Mathurin is averaging an impressive 19.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, shooting 43.3 percent from the field. His absence will undoubtedly be felt as the Clippers navigate this critical juncture in their season.