Western Conference Check-In: Clippers Stuck, Wemby Leads from the Sidelines, Suns Rising
Clippers: Searching for Answers, Not Just Wins
When Kawhi Leonard returned to the lineup, the hope in L.A. was that his presence would bring some much-needed stability to a Clippers team already teetering. Instead, things have only unraveled further. The Clippers have now dropped four straight since Leonard’s return, falling to 5-15 after a home loss to a Mavericks team that’s been struggling in its own right.
Head coach Tyronn Lue isn’t sugarcoating it.
“I know we’ve had some tough circumstances in the last five years… but this year, it’s been tough,” Lue said.
That’s putting it mildly. Lue has been shuffling lineups like a blackjack dealer, trying to find a combination that clicks.
So far, nothing’s stuck. The team’s issues run deeper than rotations - we’re talking about an aging core, inconsistent health, and a general lack of cohesion on both ends of the floor.
James Harden didn’t hold back when assessing the situation: “We’re not making shots offensively. Defensively, we just allow game-plan mistakes… too many times.”
It’s not just the box score that’s ugly - it’s the body language, the missed assignments, the confusion in crunch time. And with the fan base growing increasingly restless (some even calling for Lue’s job), the pressure is mounting fast. The Clippers aren’t just losing games - they’re losing direction.
Spurs: Wemby’s Leadership Shines, Even in Street Clothes
Victor Wembanyama may be sidelined with a calf strain, but he’s still making an impact - just not in the way you’d expect from a rookie phenom.
While rehabbing, Wemby has taken it upon himself to energize the Spurs’ bench by running their new supporter section, “The Jackals.” Yes, he created it himself.
Yes, he picked its captains. And yes, he’s leading it with the same intensity he brings to the court.
“He’s been committed and invested,” said Spurs assistant coach Mitch Johnson. “His actions back up his words.”
It’s rare to see a young player so engaged while injured, especially one with as much hype and pressure as Wemby. But this is exactly the kind of leadership San Antonio hoped for when they drafted him - not just a generational talent, but a culture-setter. Even in sneakers and sweats, he’s helping build something.
Suns: From Panic to Progress
The Suns looked like a team in trouble after a 1-4 start. Injuries, chemistry questions, and defensive lapses had folks wondering if this was going to be a lost season. But Phoenix didn’t fold - they fought back.
Since that rough opening stretch, the Suns have gone 11-5 and now sit at 12-9, good for seventh in the Western Conference. It’s not perfect, but it’s progress - and it’s come in the face of adversity.
There’s still a long way to go, and questions remain about whether this turnaround is sustainable. But for now, Phoenix is showing the kind of resilience that playoff teams are built on. They’ve flipped the script - and in a West that’s as unpredictable as ever, that might just be enough to make some noise.
Three teams, three very different stories. The Clippers are still searching for answers, the Spurs are finding leadership in unexpected places, and the Suns are proving that early-season panic doesn’t always tell the full story. The West is wild - and we’re just getting started.