The Clippers got the worst news they could have gotten Wednesday when they learned that their best player, Kawhi Leonard, would be unavailable for Game 5 and for the rest of the second-round series. Under those circumstances, it would have been totally reasonable for the Clippers — who have never advanced to the conference finals in franchise history — to let that affect their play in a negative way in Salt Lake City.
But these Clippers are far more resilient than that. Having gone through the fire of this pandemic-riddled season and the seven-game gauntlet in round one, this team is battle-tested and ready to fight, no matter who is available.