Clippers Make Last Minute Change to Russell Westbrook's Status vs. Jazz
After Ty Lue told reporters on Saturday that the LA Clippers would have everyone available for their preseason opener for the Utah Jazz, some last minute changes were made to the injury report. The team announced that Marcus Morris would be sidelined for this game with a left groin strain, and Lue told reporters before the game that Russell Westbrook and Nicolas Batum are being held out for rest.
With Westbrook, Batum, and Morris sidelined, the Clippers are starting Bones Hyland, Terance Mann, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and Ivica Zubac. While the absences of the three veterans are disappointing, it makes sense for the Clippers to be careful with their older players as they ramp up for a very important season.
It's not uncommon for veteran players to ease into the preseason, and it's something that's seen across the league every year. The Clippers are even more likely to take this approach given the injuries they have dealt with over the last several seasons, specifically to their star players. With both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George ending last season injured, it's good to see them in the starting lineup for this game, as they will need some of the additional reps to get back up to game speed.
In Hawaii, a place that doesn't often get NBA basketball, the Clippers hope to give the fans a solid showing.
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