“They’ve been great,” Lue said. “And so I give these guys a lot of credit for locking into the game plan, understanding what we’re trying to take away, what we’re willing to give up. But you don’t want to give up a lot of things, but what you’re willing to give up and we go through the plays now. They know it. We ain’t got to talk ‘em through it. They know exactly where they’re supposed to be, what they’re supposed to do. And so that’s a good feeling going into Game 1.”

George had another tremendous season for the Clippers, averaging 22.6 points (second on the team), 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists. He shot 47.1% from the field and 41.3% from 3-point range.

He was a key cog in the Clippers’ success of earning the fourth seed in the Western Conference.

It’ll be interesting to see how his role changes if Leonard doesn’t play.

“Same responsibility I’ve been had when Kawhi’s been down,” George said.

Injuries kept George out of the playoffs the last two postseasons — the Clippers didn’t reach the playoffs in 2022.

But when the Clippers reached the conference finals in 2021 for the first time in franchise history, George was the star.

He averaged 26.9 points, 9.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists.

Yet for the Clippers to reach their goal of winning the NBA championship, they’ll need a healthy Leonard by George’s side.

“I mean, he is working hard. Anybody that’s been injured — and this is Kawhi — he wants to be in this more than anybody and so he’s working hard,” George said. “He’s doing everything he can to be available. We all see it — the work he’s putting in, and when he’s ready he’ll be ready.”

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