ORLANDO, Fla. — They started together, checked in and out of Wednesday’s game at the same time, and even while on the bench resting, they sat just one seat from one another.
With Paul George and Kawhi Leonard back healthy, the Clippers are putting their pair of All-Stars together as much as possible, hoping it will help them play catch-up with their continuity. Coach Tyronn Lue joked that he is not only tethering their minutes together, he wants them holding hands — where one goes, the other will follow, and with them this franchise’s title ambitions.
But Wednesday, after the Clippers were unable to hold onto an 18-point lead and beat Orlando in regulation, the team’s cautious approach to their playing time following their returns from injury led both to be seated as overtime began after George had played 33 minutes and Leonard 29. Point guard Reggie Jackson did not re-enter the game, either, after 31 minutes.
