Clippers news: Leonard calls out defense after Lakers loss: ‘We have to adjust.’

ByNBAUSA



The Los Angeles Clippers they don’t have time for moral victories anymore, especially not at 5-13 and losing 11 of their last 13 games. Even with Kawhi Leonard back in the lineup, The Clippers were outmatched on Tuesday night, giving up 135 points in a rivalry loss to a Lakers who never felt competitive.

After the loss, Leonard did not sugarcoat the question. When asked about the team’s defensive collapse, both during his 10-game absence and after his return, he pointed directly to the lack of resistance against opposing stars.

“We probably have to get the star shooters to pass more,” Leonard said. “Teams do that to us, Harden, me, Zu, they make us move the ball. We let other teams relax.”

James Harden continued his recent offensive surge with 29 points and nine assists, but it wasn’t enough to mask the fundamental flaw Leonard pointed out: opposing stars get whatever they want, whenever they want it.

Tcap was clear against Luka Doncicwho torched the Clippers defense and set the tone early, forcing the Clippers to chase the game.

And the problems are deeper than one bad night.

Bradley Beal is expected to miss the rest of the season. The John Collins trade looks more and more like a miscalculation, adding salary without addressing spacing, rim protection or defensive consistency. The Clippers are rock bottom in transition defense, fouls allowed and clutch rating, and have yet to find a roster identity.

Leonard, still improving after his injury, finished with 19 points, but even with him on the floor there was no defensive structure.

For now, the message from the Clippers’ franchise star is simple: Stop letting opposing superstars cook, or stop pretending this season is salvageable.

The clock is ticking in Los Angeles. and right now The Clippers are getting punk, and everyone knows it.





2025-11-26 14:45:00

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