Paul George said he was “super relieved” that he and Kawhi Leonard were healthy after having to enter NBA health and safety protocols.
George and Leonard were released from the protocol and returned to help visitor LA Clippers cross the Orlando Magic 116-90 on Friday.
“We were playing so well that it was a shame that we had to take a hiatus, but safety is the first place,” said George. “We recognize that first.”
Because of contact tracking, George and Leonard remained on protocol for only four days. They were quarantined on Monday when the team left Los Angeles for Atlanta to begin a round of six games on the road. The two stars lost two games before returning to the team in Orlando, Florida.
“It was a shame because we were doing well, and PG and I left,” said Leonard, referring to the Clippers in a seven-game winning streak when he and George entered the protocol. “That’s my mentality. I just want to play basketball and continue to develop our chemistry and improve, but understand what the protocols are and it was a chance for the guys to introduce themselves and play a bigger role.”
With their two best players back, the Clippers won their second straight game after losing in Atlanta on Tuesday. George scored 26 points in 28 minutes and became the first player in the franchise’s history with at least 26 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals in less than 30 minutes played.
Leonard scored 24 points in 29 minutes and said he spent time away from the team maintaining fitness at home and keeping in touch with coaches to review game plans even in the games he lost.
“I’m still trying to follow the plans of the Hawks and the last game, Miami,” said Leonard of what he did during the quarantine. “Just talking to the coaches, trying to see what our covers are, just keeping my mind on the game.”
Coach Ty Lue said the two players have a minute restriction to be wary of their stars coming out of quarantine. But George and Leonard showed how fresh their legs were from the start, each playing a big dunk in the first half against Orlando.
“I think on a night when the guys were a little tired, just having their presence was great for us,” said Lue. “It was huge. Just making plays for everyone else, making the game easier. When teams form two Kawhi or PG teams in post-ups or pick-and-roll, it just makes it easier because our guys are getting open kicks , so we need these guys tonight. “