All-Star point guard Darius Garland played his first game for the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday, almost a month after a major trade concluded his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
This debut was critically timed for the team.
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The Clippers secured a 114-101 victory against the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center, thanks to a strong fourth-quarter performance. This win reduced their 2.5-game deficit behind the Warriors by one game and put them up 2-1 in their season series against Golden State. A victory in the regular-season closer on April 12 would allow the Clippers to clinch the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Given their 29-31 record, this triumph could prove crucial as the season progresses.
Garland contributed significantly to the outcome. The 26-year-old guard had been sidelined since January 14, recovering from injuries to both of his big toes. He scored 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting from the field, despite also committing a team-leading five turnovers.
As anticipated, Garland came off the bench and logged just 23 minutes; however, head coach Tyronn Lue and his staff are optimistic that his arrival will re-energize a Clippers offense that, apart from Kawhi Leonard’s outstanding individual play, has frequently struggled since the departures of star point guard James Harden and starting center Ivica Zubac.
Since the trade involving Harden and Garland, the Clippers have maintained a 5-5 record over the last month, primarily by relying on their defensive prowess. During this period, the Clippers’ offensive statistics have been concerning: they are 21st in points scored per possession, 29th in made 3-pointers per game, last in 3-point attempts, 25th in team 3-point accuracy, and 28th in assists per game.
During his 26 games with Cleveland this season, Garland averaged 18 points, 6.9 assists, and 2.4 rebounds in 30.5 minutes per game, with shooting splits of 52.1% on 2-pointers, 36% on 3-pointers, and 86.1% from the free-throw line. His toe injuries often seemed to diminish the explosiveness, balance, and shot-making ability that previously earned him two All-Star selections with Cleveland and made him a vital part of a Cavaliers offense that achieved record offensive efficiency last season. However, if he is fully healthy, Garland could become a formidable asset for Lue as the coach endeavors to guide the Clippers through the play-in tournament and into the main postseason bracket.
“He offers a different dynamic than James, allowing us to play at a quicker tempo,” Lue informed reporters last month. “We can utilize him off the ball more often. It’s going to be thrilling. I’ve been familiar with DG for some time, and this is, I believe, my first opportunity to mentor a young point guard since Kyrie [Irving].”
Darius Garland played his initial game for the Clippers on Monday evening, approximately a month following his trade from Cleveland to Los Angeles.
(Jack Gorman via Getty Images)
On Monday evening, Leonard spearheaded the Clippers’ effort with 23 points and eight rebounds. Kris Dunn contributed 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists.
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Brandin Podziemski was the top scorer for the Warriors with 22 points on 9-of-18 shooting. Nate Williams provided 18 points as a reserve, and Al Horford chipped in 17 points. This loss, their second in a row, dropped the Warriors’ record to 31-30.
Although Garland and Lue will likely need some time to develop synergy and a consistent flow, Garland appears keen to embrace this new chapter in Los Angeles. Immediately, he gains the chance to play alongside Kawhi Leonard, an elite two-way wing who has performed at an All-NBA caliber this season, and to help the Clippers potentially create a surprise run in the spring.
Moreover, considering the long term, Garland, whose contract extends until the 2027-28 season, could become a cornerstone player for the Clippers’ future, regardless of its evolving shape.
“I’m comfortable with this transition,” Garland recently shared with Marc J. Spears of Andscape. “Initially, I was somewhat hesitant. However, I couldn’t pass up the chance to play alongside another future Hall of Famer [Leonard] and to have primary ball-handling duties almost constantly. […] I find myself in another favorable position here in L.A., aiming to achieve something, to revitalize the Clippers’ entire brand, and to establish them as one of L.A.’s premier teams.”
This is an ambitious undertaking: It demands not only the regular-season triumphs Garland enjoyed with Cleveland last season but also the playoff success that has eluded both him and the Clippers. Whether they will reach these goals is uncertain; nevertheless, following what must have seemed an extended month, the journey officially began on Monday evening.
“I will fulfill any role T-Lue assigns me, and whatever position he wants me to play, I’ll do it,” Garland stated to reporters following the trade. “My objective here is to secure victories.”