After a franchise-changing summer, the Clippers found a couple of reasons for hope during Sunday night’s preseason opener, Janice Carr of The Orange County Register writes in history only for subscribers. Los Angeles defeated Golden State in Hawaii, 104-101, with two relative newcomers leading the way.
Darius Garlandwho was acquired from Cleveland at the February trade deadline, scored 15 points in 15 minutes and showed some chemistry with the free agent additions Rui Hachimuraconnecting on two early oils-op. Hachimura, signed by the Crosstown Lakers, had 21 points and five rebounds in 15 minutes on 8-of-11 shooting.
“This is what I do. It’s not new. You guys have seen it.” Hachimura said (Link to video on Twitter of Clippers beat writer Joey Lynn). “But with the new team (head coach Tyrone Lue) and the coaching staff, they talked and I talked to them about how aggressive they wanted me to be. Especially on offense… We talk about plays and stuff, what I like, what I don’t like. They had it good. They make the right plays and the right calls. That’s why I received light blows.”
The Clippers also got a good debut from Keaton Waglerwho had 15 points, six rebounds and three assists in 30 minutes off the bench, even though he shot just 3-of-15 from the field and 1-of-11 from 3-point range. The fifth pick in this year’s draft made the game-winning jumper with 19 seconds left.
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- Kobe Sanders was sidelined after suffering a hip impingement in training camp, Carr adds. The sophomore shooting guard also sat out Saturday’s practice but was able to do some individual work, and Carr says the timetable for his return has yet to be determined.
- Max Strus was in the starting lineup Sunday, but he was forced to leave the game early with a non-contact right ankle injury. He hobbled off the court and was ruled out for the rest of the night. Lue said the ankle will be further evaluated when the team returns to Los Angeles, Lin reports (Link to Twitter). “It’s never fun to watch when it’s a non-contact game” Liu said.
- Bradley Bealwho did not play Sunday, spoke to reporters about returning from hip surgery after a fracture that limited him to six games last season, Carr said in a separate story. Bill thought his career might be over and admitted he was “100% scared” when he first shot the couch after the procedure, but he has progressed to the point where he can run and jump without pain. He said the experience helped him “appreciate life more” and he’s looking forward to a productive season after signing a new two-year contract this summer. “I have no doubt at all” he said. “I can still take steps back. I can dunk the basketball. I didn’t think I could do it, so if I can do it, and do it explosively, and do it almost a little bit better than what I did again when I came in last year, I feel incredibly more confident about it.”