Inglewood, California — The Los Angeles Clippers faced a setback as their top scorer, Norman Powell, was absent from the line-up against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday evening due to a hamstring injury.

Head coach Tyronn Lue confirmed that Powell would also be sidelined for the upcoming home game against the Sacramento Kings on Friday.

Powell sustained the injury during the first half of Monday’s victory over the Golden State Warriors and ended up playing a mere 26 minutes, marking his lowest time on the court this season after he returned for the second half.

This season, he has been performing exceptionally, averaging a commendable 23.3 points per game, which is a personal best for him. Between October 26 and November 11, Powell showcased his scoring prowess by hitting the 20-point mark in an impressive 10 consecutive games, with an average of 26.9 points during that stretch.

Powell’s contributions have been crucial for the Clippers, particularly as superstar Kawhi Leonard has yet to make his season debut due to ongoing knee issues. The team will need to adapt and find scoring elsewhere in Powell’s absence as they navigate the challenges ahead this season.