LA Clippers guard Darius Garland
Getty
LA Clippers guard Darius Garland stands on the court.
As the Los Angeles Clippers fight for a spot in the postseason, the team is facing an uphill battle for multiple reasons.
For starters, the Clippers got off on the wrong foot in 2025-2026. They entered the year thinking they would be a Western Conference contender, but they had the success of a tanking squad early on.
Although the Clippers got back on track and started clawing their way back up the standings, the team’s front office made some major changes at the trade deadline. One of those changes was swapping out James Harden for a young star in Darius Garland.
As expected, getting Garland to be as comfortable as possible has been a work in progress for the Clippers. But Saturday’s performance was a major step in the right direction, just one month away from postseason play.
Ty Lue Reveals Clear Message For Darius Garland After Clippers-Mavs
Tyronn Lue, Los Angeles Clippers
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 02: Head coach Tyronn Lue of the LA Clippers reacts against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena on March 02, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
According to LA Clippers coach Ty Lue, understanding how to use Garland is simply the key to opening him up.
On Saturday night, he revealed a clear message for Garland going forward.
“I think him being more aggressive. If it’s not a direct advance pass, we can attack early, don’t give it up so quick. Run into drags before the defense gets set. I think attacking and getting downhill,” Lue told reporters.
“We told him that we had to be more aggressive. You know, I thought in the last couple of games, he’s trying to feel the game out instead of being aggressive. When he’s aggressive, that opens up his passing. Don’t come out trying to make the pass, come off looking to score, and that opens up everything else for you. I thought today was a good example of that.”
Garland Dominates The Dallas Mavericks
LA Clippers guard Darius Garland
GettyInglewood, CA – March 09: LA Clippers guard Darius Garland (10) stands on the court during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks at Intuit Dome on Monday, March 9, 2026 in Inglewood, CA. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Garland got the start for the Clippers on Saturday, and he checked in for 39 minutes.
The star guard shot 15-24 from the field, going 8-12 from deep. He produced 41 points, while racking up a double-double with 11 assists. Garland also came down with three rebounds, and produced one steal and one block.
The Clippers defeated the Mavericks in overtime with a 138-131 victory.
With that win, the Clippers advanced to 35-26 on the year. They are eighth in the Western Conference, trailing the Phoenix Suns by four games.
In his eight games leading up to Saturday’s action, Garland posted averages of 19.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 6.5 assists. He’s shooting 46.3% from the field, and 45.8% from beyond the arc.