Clippers’ Roster Decisions Loom, Warriors Ride Veterans in Play-In Win, Wizards Commit to Keefe
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LOS ANGELES — A 15-year run of winning records remains intact for the Clippers, yet the franchise still has not captured a playoff series victory in five seasons and has now exited the play-in tournament twice during that span. Wednesday’s loss to Golden State only sharpened the questions ahead.
Head coach Tyronn Lue is signed through 2029 and is expected back, and point guard Darius Garland is considered a foundational piece. Beyond that, uncertainty rules.
Kawhi Leonard, whose contract is set to expire after the 2026-27 season, declined to discuss his plans postgame. The NBA’s ongoing review of an endorsement matter involving the forward is not projected to bring major sanctions, but the situation hovers over negotiations for either an extension or a potential trade.
Key offseason decisions include John Collins, who will enter unrestricted free agency, and Bennedict Mathurin, who is on track for restricted free agency. Team options control the futures of Brook Lopez, Bogdan Bogdanović and Nicolas Batum, while defenders Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones Jr. are extension-eligible.
Garland revealed he competed “on nine toes” for much of the season. The right toe has improved, he said, but the left remains problematic. His offseason objective is straightforward: “Get healthy.”
Warriors
SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State leaned again on its championship core, erasing a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit to oust Los Angeles in the play-in matchup. Stephen Curry and Draymond Green delivered vintage performances, a result coach Steve Kerr said he anticipated.
“We came back every single time they made a run,” Kerr noted. “An incredible display of guts, competitiveness and connection. Then obviously Steph and Dray took over down the stretch.” Kerr called Green “the best defender I’ve ever seen in my life.”
According to ESPN, Green guarded Leonard on 12 half-court possessions in the final period without surrendering a shot attempt and added two late steals, one setting up Brandin Podziemski’s and-one.
“There will never be a person that I would want to prove more to than myself,” Green told Sports Illustrated. “When you step on the floor, this is competition. You want to be your best.”
Wizards
WASHINGTON — General manager Will Dawkins said he expects Brian Keefe to remain head coach. Keefe’s record stands at 43-160 since replacing Wes Unseld Jr., but the organization continues to prioritize player development over wins.
The front office has praised Keefe’s work with young talents Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George, as well as rookies Tre Johnson, Will Riley and Jamir Watkins. Even after acquiring veterans Anthony Davis and Trae Young during the year, Washington’s plan has not shifted.
Keefe’s close collaboration with management and strong locker-room support have further solidified his status heading into the offseason.
Source: Hoops Wire
