INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The Clippers smack up the Atlanta Hawks 131-105 on Saturday night. This win snaps the Clippers two-game losing streak. The Clippers are now 20-15 after the win and will head back on the road for matchups with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets.
Here are some takeaways from the Clippers win over the Hawks:
Kawhi makes his return
Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard made his much-anticipated season debut in tonight’s win
Leonard played 19 minutes scoring 12 points adding three rebounds and one steal & assist apiece.
He scored his first basket on the season on a cat-and-shoot three early in the first quarter.
Leonard moved around the court well and had an impact on both ends of the floor. He will be on a minutes restriction to start the season.
Powell bounces back
Norman Powell had his worst game of the season the last time he played and made up for it tonight.
Powell came out aggressive early driving to the basket and knocking down jumpers.
The return of James Harden helped him this game setting him up for easy opportunities. Harden finished with 15 assists.
Powell led the Clippers in scoring with 20 points. Looking like the players we have expected from his play so far this season.
Even with the long awaited return of Leonard it was Powell who was the Clippers go-to guy on this night.
The bench mob goes to work
The return of Leonard is so big for the Clippers because now their bench becomes that much more deeper with Derrick Jones Jr. moving to the bench.
This showed tonight as the Clippers bench chipped in 69 of the 131 points.
Jones Jr. finished with 12 points with some highlight reel dunks.
The group was led by Amir Coffey and Kevin Porter Jr. who made shots all over the floor. Coffey had 17 points and Porter Jr. 17.
The group not only affected the game offensively but also defensively where they hounded the Hawks.
With Leonard’s return the depth of this team takes a huge jump forward and will make the Clippers one of the better teams in this new year if they can stay healthy.