The Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors each provided health or performance updates that could shape their early-season outlooks.
Clippers
Bradley Beal sat out for the second consecutive game on Tuesday because of back soreness, and the Clippers mustered only 79 points in a loss to the Warriors—their lowest total in almost three years. Los Angeles produced just 10 assists, matching the fewest in any game since Tyronn Lue became head coach, according to The Athletic.
“We are missing a key component, which is Bradley Beal,” Lue said. “You add him to the mix, it does make us better.”
Beal, returning from offseason knee surgery, is on a minutes restriction and has scored 11 points combined through his first two appearances. Bogdan Bogdanovic has started in his place but is shooting 11.1 percent from the field, while forward John Collins finished Tuesday with five points on 2-for-6 shooting.
Nuggets
Jamal Murray is averaging 30.3 points, 6.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds through three games while hitting 53 percent of his shots overall and 43 percent from beyond the arc. The strong opening could bolster his bid for a first All-Star selection, though acting head coach David Adelman emphasized team success.
“He doesn’t go to the glorified pickup game, but the guy is a champion and one of the best players of this generation,” Adelman said. “How many All-Stars haven’t won championships?”
Warriors
Guard De’Anthony Melton has progressed to individual and small-group drills as he rehabs a torn ACL, the Warriors announced. The plan is for him to join full practices soon with both Golden State and its G League affiliate in Santa Cruz.
Melton will be reevaluated in three weeks, putting a potential regular-season debut in late November. The 27-year-old re-signed with the Warriors over the summer on a two-year minimum contract with a player option after being traded last season while injured. When active, he provides defense, versatility and secondary playmaking.
Source: Hoops Wire
