Darius Garland Eases Into Clippers Debut, Then Helps Lead Comeback Win LOS ANGELES - Darius Garland's highly anticipated debut with the Los Angeles Clippers was a mixed bag on Thursday night. The 24-year-old point guard played just over 10 minutes in the first half before taking a seat due to foul trouble. However, once he returned to the game, Garland helped spark a stunning comeback victory for the Clippers. Garland finished with 14 points, six assists, and four rebounds in his 32 minutes of action as the Clippers erased a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat the Denver Nuggets 118-113. The win marked Los Angeles' fifth straight and improved their record to 24-15 on the season. "I was just trying to stay focused and be ready when I got back in," Garland said in his post-game interview. "I knew my teammates were counting on me, so I tried to make a few plays and help us get the win." Garland's debut with the Clippers has been highly anticipated since he joined the team via trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers in February. The 6-foot-1 guard had been sidelined with an ankle injury that kept him out of action for several weeks. In his first half, Garland struggled to find his rhythm, committing three turnovers and missing both field-goal attempts. However, when he returned to the game midway through the third quarter, he quickly began to make an impact. Garland scored seven points in the final 4:30 of the third quarter, including a crucial three-pointer that gave the Clippers their first lead of the game since early in the second period. He then continued his strong play into the fourth quarter, scoring six more points and dishing out two assists as Los Angeles pulled away. "I was proud of Darius for the way he bounced back from a tough start," Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. "He's a talente...#Denver_Nuggets #Utah_Jazz #Darius_Garland #Los_Angeles_Clipper #Tyronn_Lue
