Paul George said he was “very relieved” that he and Kawhi Leonard were healthy after entering the NBA health and safety protocols.
George and Leonard were removed from protocol and returned to assist the visiting LA Clippers Friday past Orlando Magic 116-90.
“We played so well, it was a pity we had to stop, but safety is the first time,” George said. “We acknowledge that first.”
Due to contact detection, George and Leonard were only in protocol for four days. They entered the quarantine on Monday when the team left Los Angeles for Atlanta to begin a six-game swing. The two stars missed two games before rejoining the team in Orlando, Florida.
“It was a raid because we were on a good roll, and PG and I are going out,” Leonard said. He refers to the Clippers who had a winning streak of seven games when he and George entered the protocol. “That’s my mindset about it. Just want to play basketball and want to build on our chemistry and get better, but understand what the protocols are, and it was a chance for guys to act and play a bigger role. “
With their two best players back, the Clippers won their second consecutive game after losing to Atlanta on Tuesday. George scored 26 points in 28 minutes and becomes the first player in franchise history to play with at least 26 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals in less than 30 minutes.
Leonard scored 24 points in 29 minutes and said he spent time away from the team to maintain his condition at home and keep in touch with coaches to go through the game plans, even for the games he missed.
“Still trying to follow the game plans with the Hawks and the last game, Miami,” Leonard said of what he did during quarantine. “Just talk to the coaches, just try to see what our coverage is, and just keep my mind on the game.”
Coach Ty Lue said he limited both players to a few minutes to be careful with his stars coming out of quarantine. But George and Leonard both showed how fresh their legs were early, and each struck down a big blow in the first half against Orlando.
“I think on a night when guys were a little tired, it was just a big presence for us,” Lue said. “It was huge. Just playing for everyone else makes the game easy. When teams Kawhi or PG double on the post-ups or pick-and-roll, it just makes it easier because our guys get open shots, so we need those guys tonight. ‘