Kawhi Leonard returns but Clippers drop Game 2 to the Mavericks

They finally are whole, the return of Kawhi Leonard from right knee inflammation that kept the Clippers’ best player out for 23 days making them complete.

But for the Clippers to defeat the Dallas Mavericks again in a Western Conference playoff series, Leonard was going to need his teammates to carry most of the weight until he gets his game and physical condition back to the high level he’s accustomed to.

They could not.

As a group, the Clippers could not shoot straight, their inability to make shots against a stingy and physical Mavericks defense leading to a 96-93 loss to Dallas on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena in Game 2.

By making only 36.8% of their shots and 26.7% of their three-pointers, the Clippers have lost the home-court advantage in the best-of-seven series that’s tied at 1-1.

“Just offensively being better, playing with more pace, getting into the paint a little bit more,� Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “We missed a lot of shots, but as far as what we did defensively, I’ll take that every day of the week. We are going to make some tough shots. … But overall to hold a team to 96 points, that’s really great defense tonight. So, we just got to do a better job of scoring the basketball.�

Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, left, offers a wry smile to Clippers forward Paul George after making a basket durng the first half in Game 2.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Game 3 is Friday night in Dallas and the hope is Leonard will be able to find his groove after scoring 15 points on seven-for-17 shooting while missing all five three-point attempts in 35 minutes.

“I was just trying to make sure I could get into the game and play,� Leonard said. “That’s what my last week has been about, trying to get back on the floor.�

The issue for George was trying to be effective while playing through foul trouble. He had committed four through three quarters and finished the game with five.

“I thought they are doing a great job of packing the paint, junking it up,� George said. “And physicality, they definitely have been physical, but that’s playoff basketball and nothing out of the norm. But they are doing a good job packing the paint.�

The Mavericks are also doing the right thing by letting Luka Doncic orchestrate. He ran the show to a tune of 32 points, nine assists and six rebounds to lead Dallas.

When the Mavericks went on a 14-0 run in the fourth quarter to take control of the game with an eight-point lead the Clippers were not able to overcome, Doncic was in the middle of it all.

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He drilled a three-pointer during the run and found Maxi Kleber for a three that gave the Mavericks an 87-81 lead.

Then Doncic made a three-pointer that basically settled things, giving the Mavericks a nine-point lead and leaving the Clippers trying to catch up with 1:26 left.

“We got to be better as a unit overall,� Leonard said. “It starts with me. I’ve got to find a way.�

Leonard missed his first three shots, scoring his first basket with 10:18 left in the second quarter, the rust showing for a player who last played March 31 at Charlotte.

He sat out the last eight regular-season games of the season and the first playoff game Sunday, the total of nine games and a little over three weeks off leaving Leonard trying to get his game back on point.

Leonard practiced with the Clippers last week, but Lue said the All-Star forward didn’t participate in any contact drills. Even so, Lue said Leonard was ready.

“Yeah, he’s done all the necessary things he has to do to be on the floor,� Lue said. “So, he’s checked every box and the medical [staff] has done a great job of making sure he checks those boxes. And, we’ll never put a guy on the floor that’s not ready to go. … He could be a little rusty offensively, but he still is going to be able to make shots and be who he is.�