Clippers' Patrick Beverley Won't Play vs. Pelicans with Calf Injury
Los Angeles Clippers point guard Patrick Beverley will miss Thursday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans with a sore left calf, according to The Athletic's Jovan Buha.
Los Angeles will also be without Kawhi Leonard, in keeping with the team's approach of holding him out for one game in back-to-backs.
The Clippers did provide good news, confirming Paul George is probable to make his 2019 debut. The six-time All-Star has yet to suit up for Los Angeles while recovering from surgeries in each of his shoulders.
Beverley, who signed a three-year, $39 million extension in the offseason, has struggled offensively to open the season. While not considered a dynamic scorer, he's performing well below expectations, shooting 35.3 percent from the field and 15.2 percent from beyond the arc.
The two-time All-Defensive player has lived up to the billing on the other end of the floor, though. His 97.9 defensive rating is on pace to be a career best, and he's holding opponents to 36.2 percent shooting, per NBA.com.
Despite what Russell Westbrook might say, Beverley remains adept at defense.
The combined absences of Leonard and Beverley will obviously present problems for the Clippers, but they're clearly looking beyond wins and losses based on Leonard's load management strategy.
Beverley's sore calf will only be an issue if it portends a more serious injury to come.
