The dark clouds that have blotted out The Beam in Sacramento claimed another victim on Friday, as Chris Haynes reported that Zach LaVine will undergo season-ending surgery on his right hand.
LaVine appeared in only 39 games and averaged 31.4 minutes, 19.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.5 treys while shooting 47% from the field and 39% from downtown.
The 31.4 minutes were the lowest since 2017, his fourth year in the league. The 2.8 rebounds were the fewest since 2015, his second year in the NBA. The 2.3 assists were a career-low by a significant margin, as he had never been below 3.0.
Who benefits?
LaVine missed the last three games and it was Nique Clifford who got the start for LaVine in all three contests. Over that span, Clifford averaged 38.3 minutes, 15.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.7 blocks and 2.0 treys. He only shot 34% from the field, 30% from downtown and 66% from the line. On the season, he’s at 39% from the field, 31% from downtown and 71% from the line.
The usage rate was 21%, 21% and 22.3%, and that was with Russell Westbrook out for one game and Domantas Sabonis missing all three contests. In 10 starts this season, the usage rate has been 16.3% with an offensive rating of only 91. He’s converted 34% of his field goal attempts as a starter, compared to 41% as a reserve, 30% from downtown and 63% from the line. On the season, Clifford is averaging a paltry 0.64 FPTS per minute.
Will Clifford have utility down the stretch? Absolutely since he’s going to play a ton of minutes, and minutes are half the battle. That said, he likely won’t garner a sky-high usage rate and the efficiency will probably be poor.
