You know, in the 2016 NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors were leading 3-2 at the end of Game 5. Then Game 6 turned the tables, and Game 7 broke their years-long curse. Do you remember who was the head coach of the Cavs then? Yes, Ty Lue. So, the conclusion here is that one loss doesn’t define a team. Surely, the LA Clippers lost their first playoff game vs. the Denver Nuggets. But then, the head coach will know ways to bring the team back on track.
When the second quarter began, the Clippers were 4 points ahead of Nikola Jokic and Co. Well, the margin doesn’t seem too overwhelming, but the gap could’ve extended had those 20 turnovers not turned into eyesores. Nonetheless, LA fell 110-112 as the game dragged into OT.
So, after the game, Ty Lue clarified that his next target is to win Game 2 and maintain the streak. At the same time, he acknowledged the turnover woes in which Kawhi Leonard played an important role. Meanwhile, the 47-year-old genius might have some changes planned before their next game on Monday. Can there be a different rotation on the floor? “We have another half of what we did last night. We have another half. If it doesn’t work, then something different will be done,” the Clippers’ HC informed the media.
Is Ty Lue sticking with the same rotation in Game 2?
“We have another half of what we did last night. We have another half. If it doesn’t work, then something different will be done.” pic.twitter.com/OaE5nRWnnO
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) April 20, 2025
Simply put, Ty Lue is saying he’s going to give the current strategy a fair shot, but if it’s not effective by halftime, he won’t hesitate to make changes. It just shows his flexibility and readiness to adapt during games. For LA, the Klaw, James Harden, Ivica Zubac, Kris Dunn, and Norman Powell start the show. However, if the plan seems stale on the court, then it would be the head coach’s call in the same game or the upcoming games.
Speaking of Kawhi Leonard, the veteran forward struggled on the court vs. the Denver Nuggets. It felt like the opponents knew what he was about to do next. Read his next move and forced him to make mistakes. And this doesn’t particularly sit well with Lue.
Ty Lue sends a strong message after Kawhi Leonard’s 7-turnover fiasco
“We’re not happy that we went to overtime,” Ty Lue told the media in the postgame press conference. He tipped his hat to the Nuggets’ strength but made one thing clear—the Clippers aren’t backing down. For Lue, the comeback recipe isn’t rocket science: guard every possession like gold, own the glass, and stay locked into the mission. “But if you turn over 20 times, against a team that is number one in offensive transition, then you’re going to lose the game. And so we understand that. We just got to be better,” Ty Lue admitted.
From the start, Aaron Gordon clung to Kawhi Leonard, turning defense into disruption. The Nuggets doubled down—literally—blitzing Leonard and throwing him off rhythm. Forced to think fast, he lost control. Those seven turnovers? Cracks Denver found and hammered till the Clippers collapsed.
Mar 21, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) warms up prior to the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Game 1 slipped, sure, but this is not doom and gloom. Ty Lue is cooking, Kawhi has a point to prove, and the rotation might just get a shake. The Nuggets poked the bear, and now it is wide awake. With the fire lit and film studied, the LA Clippers are not just aiming to bounce back, they are planning to bite.
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