The Los Angeles Clippers were without head coach Tyronn Lue for the remainder of Sunday’s game against the Sacramento Kings after he was sidelined due to back pain.
Prior to tip-off, the team made the decision to send Lue home, as reported by Clippers insider Brad Turner. In his absence, assistant coach Brian Shaw stepped in as the acting head coach against the Kings.
Lue is in his ninth season as an NBA head coach and his fifth with the Clippers. He holds an all-time coaching record of 346-246, including a 2016 NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
What’s Next for Tyronn Lue and the Clippers
Lue’s absence from Sunday’s game is a minor setback for the Clippers, but his back injury will be something to monitor moving forward.
Since the All-Star break, the Clippers have struggled, posting a 3-6 record in their last nine games. They are averaging 110 points per game on 46.5% shooting from the field and 34.5% from three-point range, while allowing 112 points per game, resulting in a negative two-point margin.
Los Angeles currently sits at 34-29 on the season, placing them eighth in the Western Conference standings. They trail the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors by 1.5 games.
Despite their struggles, the Clippers remain a defensive powerhouse. They rank fourth in the NBA in both points allowed per game (108.6) and defensive rating (110.3). However, their offensive production has been inconsistent, ranking 22nd in scoring (110.8 PPG) and 20th in offensive rating (112.6).
Norman Powell leads the team with averages of 23.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. James Harden follows with 22.1 points, 8.5 assists, and 5.7 rebounds, while Kawhi Leonard contributes 18.2 points and five rebounds. Ivica Zubac also plays a key role, posting 15.9 points and 12.5 rebounds per game.
Following Sunday’s matchup against the Kings, the Clippers will hit the road for their next game. They face the New Orleans Pelicans on March 11 at 8 p.m. ET.
