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Clippers Veteran Kris Dunn Is Not Worried About Keaton Wagler’s Slow Start
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- Clippers Veteran Kris Dunn Is Not Worried About Keaton Wagler’s Slow Start
For the second time in four games, the Los Angeles Clippers fell to the Los Angeles Lakers, this time losing on Wednesday night by a score of 103-87.
The Clippers offense failed to get going as they shot 35% from the field, 32% from three, and committed 24 turnovers compared to only 17 assists.
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In both games against the Lakers this season, the Clippers have committed more turnovers than assists. In a 125-117 loss on October 23, they had 25 turnovers and only 24 assists.
On Wednesday, fifth overall pick Keaton Wagler continued his turnover issues, giving the ball to the Lakers five times and adding only two assists.
Wagler struggled overall on the night, shooting 4-for-15 from the field, but did get to the free throw line 12 times to finish with 21 points.
Kris Dunn Addresses The Turnovers
After the game, Clippers veteran Kris Dunn spoke about Wagler's turnovers, saying that it's part of the process, but they want him to keep attacking and being aggressive.
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"We would like him to protect the ball, just as someone can say to me or [ Darius Garland ] and the rest of the group."
Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Wagler hasn't been the only member of the Clippers to struggle with turnovers this season.
They are first in the league in turnovers committed, averaging 23.5 per game. The next highest team is the Charlotte Hornets, who average 20.2 turnovers per game. Committing three more turnovers than the next closest team is not a recipe for winning in the NBA.
Wagler has 12 total turnovers to 14 assists, with many of those turnovers coming against the Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder. He did protect the ball well in his NBA debut against the Sacramento Kings.
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A Team Issue
While Wagler's lack of care with the basketball hasn't helped, he hasn't been the biggest issue.
Darius Garland is the lead point guard on the team, and he has been a turnover machine through the first four games.
Garland has 26 assists, but has committed 23 turnovers. A 1:1 assist-to-turnover ratio is a disaster for the lead guard. Dunn has done a much better job at protecting the ball, dishing out 21 total assists and committing only 11 turnovers.
The Clippers are off to a 1-3 start, and without top offensive weapon Brandon Ingram and end-to-end connector Max Strus, they have to take care of the basketball more than they are currently doing if they hope to win more this season.
