Bones Hyland went off for a career-high 37 points in the Clippers 108-124 loss to the Suns on Wednesday night. The backup guard wanted to put up 40 points in a rare starting opportunity for the team, which led to three consecutive comical misses from 3-point range.
Hyland was seen laughing about his inability to get the final three points he needed to crack 40 with the Suns bench after the final possession. It was clear that the team wanted him to get that bucket as well, feeding him passes off offensive rebounds to get another shot up.
Hyland has barely featured for the Clippers this season, averaging 6.6 points and 2.4 assists in 36 games. His utility for the franchise went down after they acquired James Harden, as Hyland fell out of a rotation that already featured guards such as Russell Westbrook, Terance Mann, and Norman Powell.
The Clippers Are Set For Round 3 Against The Mavericks
The only thing we know for certain in the West is that the Clippers and Mavericks will meet in the first round in the 4-5 matchup. The Clippers currently hold the No. 4 seed, but if they lose their final two games and the Mavericks win theirs, they'd slide to the No. 5 seed.
The Clippers and Mavericks are no strangers to each other in playoff situations, meeting in the 2020 and 2021 first-round. The Clippers were expected contenders in both seasons, besting Dallas in six games in 2020 and seven games in 2021. Those matches ended up being a proving ground for Doncic, as he averaged 33.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 9.5 assists in 13 games over the two playoff matchups.
The Mavericks will likely be the lower seed this time around as well, but the roster around Luka has been reshaped. Instead of a frustrated Kristaps Porzingis or pre-emergence Jalen Brunson, Doncic can rely on a mercurial talent like Kyrie Irving. The Clippers aren't the same either, with the addition of Harden this season making them a major threat.
The Clippers have been in spotty form for the last two months while the Mavericks have peaked over the same time. Nonetheless, if there's any team that has the blueprint behind stopping Luka's Dallas in seven games, it's Tyronn Lue and the Clippers.
Kawhi Leonard was a game-changer in the previous matchups, with the Clippers possibly losing in the past if Kawhi didn't elevate his level of play. Leonard averaged 32.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 2020 and 2021. He's currently injured, and there is no news about his playoff availability, but the Clippers will likely shut him down for the regular season and have him at his best against Dallas.
This series is a defining one for Doncic, who can't afford to have a career 0-3 record against the Clippers in the first round. With the rosters being as closely matched as ever, this series might be the most entertaining first-round matchup in the West and could severely impact the futures of both franchises.
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