As the Los Angeles Clippers hold on to the home-court advantage, they will face Luka Doncic and Dallas Mavericks in the post-season. They have won the season series (2-1) against them and hope to build off the same on April 21. However, despite harboring 4-franchise level stars, the Clippers face a potential setback in their starting spot: Kawhi Leonard‘s health.

Leonard has been inactive for the last 8 games due to inflammation in his knee. With that, when discussing the potential winner of the coming first-round series, Stephen A. Smith couldn’t help but loosen his grips from his Clippers’ endorsements. The analyst said, “I would love to tell you the Los Angeles Clippers because I’ve had so many expectations for them.” With that, he questions Leonard’s absence, citing, “But you’re asking me to believe that Kawhi Leonard is healthy.”

Kawhi has consistently been the Clippers’ most efficient all-around player, catapulting into the MVP race during his December surge. His absence, like Smith hints, gives Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic an advantage on both ends of the court. Luckily, for the Clippers’ fans, head coach Ty Lue recently claimed that Kawhi’s absence is of least concern for the post-season. Furthermore, he shares that the all-star’s health concerns are simply an effect of the surgeries Kawhi has had on his knee and nothing more.

However, Smith believes if Kawhi appears fully healthy, coupled with James Harden’s ability to switch things up, the Clippers can win the series. Nevertheless, the analyst then highlights Luka Doncic‘s MVP-caliber run. The Slovenian forward is averaging a near triple-double, 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists. With that, and Luka’s 16-2 run alongside Kyrie, Smith believes the Mavs begin the post-season on a much better momentum.

What to expect out of Luka Doncic and the Mavs against the Clippers?

Despite the winning record, the Clippers faced the Mavericks on December 20. The Mavs were 16-11 at the time, while the LA squad was in the middle of a mid-season surge. Since then, not only Dallas has seen a coherence from Kyrie and Luka Doncic, but have also added athletic role players at the trade deadline. This immediately chucks their season-series record, highlighting that the Clippers will need to approach the series with a fresh perspective.

For the Mavs, the series will ask more from their defensive players than Luka and Irving. The prospects of Harden, Kawhi, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook automatically clock one in for a long night. However, the Mavs will need to take care of the boards. The clippers’ quartet alone garners over 20 rebounds a game (30 when considering Ivica Zubac).

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Regardless, fans are in for a showdown. The series features 6 superstars, each worthy of shouldering a team on their own, going head-t0-head for the first time with their new units.