LA Clippers: What is the biggest obstacle for team’s title aspirations?

The LA Clippers have been one of the league’s top teams all season and are genuine title contenders if they can overcome a significant threat.

Heading into the league’s hiatus due to COVID-19, the LA Clippers have had an exceptional season thus far. The team is currently the second seed in the Western Conference, possessing a 44-20 record.

The first year in the Kawhi Leonard–Paul George era has gone smoothly to this point, but the Clippers’ eyes are set on the championship above all else. With this reconstructed roster filled with immense talent and depth, the team has proved all season long they are a legitimate threat to win it all.

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The Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks have gotten the most attention as they lead their respective conferences, but the Clippers deserve some thought as well. They might be 5.5 games out of first place, but the team is still solidifying themselves as a top-tier contender right alongside those two teams.

Still, contender or not, the biggest obstacle in the Clippers’ title hopes is the health of the team as a whole. The team has been plagued by injuries all season, and they only have a small sample size of what they are capable of at full strength.

Starting with the superstar duo of Leonard and George, the two have played a significant factor in regard to the team’s injury issues. Leonard has missed 13 games this season due to a nagging knee injury, and George has missed 22 games dealing with shoulder rehab and battling a recurring hamstring injury.

Coming off a season where Leonard won the NBA Finals MVP, and George finished top 3 in MVP voting, it’s obvious why these two are essential to the team’s success. With both Leonard and George in the lineup, the Clippers are a sensational 24-8 on the year.

Starting guard Patrick Beverley has also missed significant time, sitting out 16 games due to a groin injury. The 31-year-old may not seem so vital on paper with his stats, but the defense and energy he brings to the table every night are unmatched.

The numbers back up Beverley’s presence in the lineup as well, as the team is 21-5 when he, Leonard, and George all share the court. When these three, as well as the rest of the roster, are healthy, this team is nearly invincible.

When playing at full strength, the LA Clippers are an impressive 11-1 on the season, their only loss coming against the rival Los Angeles Lakers. Having a 44-20 record while having a completely healthy roster for only 12 of those games is an astonishing accomplishment, and shows that this team may have only scratched the surface of their potential.

The Clippers roster is one of the league’s most talented without a doubt. Leonard and George are the known stars, but the team also has two Sixth Man of the Year candidates coming off the bench in Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams, who have both been stellar all season.

Newest additions Marcus Morris Sr. and Reggie Jackson have only added more talent to the roster, bringing in some veterans to bolster their championship run. Right now it looks like the Clippers undoubtedly have all the pieces necessary to win a championship, they just have to get over the injuries.

With the league going into suspension for an undisclosed amount of time, this hiatus could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for the Clippers. For a team struggling with injuries, these players now have an opportunity to heal up for when play resumes, whenever that may be.

Numerous injuries have been a significant factor in the success of the Clippers this season, and a roster at full strength will be needed for a serious title run. Lately, the team has been playing as a whole more consistently, a scary sight for the rest of the league.