The Clippers struggle to stay up and lose to the Nuggets with three important players absent.

Terance Mann of the Clippers, who finished with 16 points, shoots while Nikola Jokic and Bruce Brown of the Nuggets defend on Friday night. At Crypto.com Arena, the Clippers were defeated 114-104.

(Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

BY ANDREW GREIF

The Clippers hoped during a training camp that now seems longer than two months ago that the depth of their stacked roster could stave off the ups and downs that come with a long season’s expected ailments.

However, the absences of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Luke Kennard, who shot the most threes last season, on Friday don’t just make a slight hole on a roster. Coach Tyronn Lue has recognised that without all three, the margin for error will be “extremely thin” in Sunday’s game against Indiana.

The Clippers then decided to back up their coach.

The Clippers made 62.5% of their shots in the first half at Crypto.com Arena, which was in some ways their best performance.