Clippers, Tyronn Lue Doesn’t Change the Goal: “We’re Playing to Win”

The faces have changed, and so has the hierarchy. But the ambition remains the same. The Los Angeles Clippers are no longer the team that opened the season with sky-high expectations, yet Tyronn Lue’s message is firm: no step back.

On the eve of the matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers, later lost 125-122, the head coach reiterated the organization’s stance without hesitation:

We’re playing to win. It doesn’t matter who’s on the floor: young guys, veterans… whoever. There’s no other reason to step on the court.

Tyronn Lue

Harden and Zubac Gone

At the trade deadline, the front office chose to act decisively.

• James Harden was dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Darius Garland, who has yet to make his debut with L.A.
• Ivica Zubac was traded to the Indiana Pacers, with forward Bennedict Mathurin arriving in return.

A major transformation: less experience, more athletic freshness. A different team, even in identity.

Kawhi Leonard has remained the anchor of the resurgence, leading key wins over the Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets. Performances that also earned him a starring role at the NBA All-Star Game, where he finished second in MVP voting.

Kawhi Leonard Pumps the Brakes on Contender Talk

After a 115-114 win over Denver, Leonard was asked whether the Clippers can still be considered title contenders. His response cooled expectations:

I think that talk is over. We’re in the final stretch of the season. Every day is about growing and getting better. Let’s look in two weeks and see if we’re making progress, then we’ll see.

Kawhi Leonard

A statement Lue did not interpret as a step back, but rather as an acknowledgment of the new reality:

When he got here, there was PG, Kawhi, James, Russ, Zu. Now we’re younger. We have to play differently, do different things and do them better.

Tyronn Lue

NBA Playoffs: The Clippers’ Real Goal

The Western Conference remains deep and highly competitive. Yet Lue isn’t backing down.

I feel confident. In our players, in our staff, in the culture we’ve built. Why wouldn’t we play to win?

Tyronn Lue

The mission is clear: make the NBA Playoffs. After that, anything can happen.

If we get to the playoffs and I’m coaching a series… I like my chances.

Tyronn Lue

The Clippers are no longer the team they were at the start of the season. But in Lue’s mind, the objective has never changed.