Ben Simmons and the Los Angeles Clippers lost 127-122 Sunday to the top seed in the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Los Angeles was led in scoring by Norman Powell who had 34 points on 54.2% shooting with five threes made. Powell, who is averaging a career-high 22.6 points per game, achieved his first game scoring over his average since Feb. 13 against the Utah Jazz where he supplied 41 points
Simmons played 20 minutes in the highly competitive matchup and contributed four points, six rebounds, and five assists. The former No. 1 pick in the draft out of LSU has played in eight straight games with the Clippers after continued injury problems with his back and knee.
The three-time All-Star was bought out by the Brooklyn Nets on Feb. 8 before signing with LA. Unfortunately for the Clippers, he will miss another game as they continue their pursuit of a top-six seed.
On Monday morning, the Clippers announced Simmons is officially listed out for their matchup with the Orlando Magic due to injury management (via Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints).
While it may be discouraging seeing Simmons out again after his first substantial streak of games played with the Clippers, it is simultaneously encouraging that he is not out due to a new injury, but rather injury management. In 13 appearances with the Clippers, Simmons is averaging career-lows in points, assists, rebounds, blocks, field goal percentage, and minutes.
The loss on Sunday dropped Los Angeles to the eighth seed in the Western Conference, but the Golden State Warriors maintain just a one-game lead for the sixth seed. While being mindful of health, the Clippers will need to win many of their final eight games to push themselves out of the Play-In Tournament.
