With Los Angeles Clippers star Russell Westbrook out indefinitely after fracturing his hand on Mar. 1, 23-year-old Bones Hyland has stepped up, making a larger impact the longer that he played.
Scoring in double-figures in back-to-back games for the first time since last October, the third-year pro is beginning to make a case for earning his spot back in the Clippers rotation. The fit could be tricky, particularly after Westbrook returns from his injury. Nonetheless, with Hyland not only rediscovering his shooting stroke but having been remolded into a two-way playmaker, it could be a shrewd move ahead of the postseason.
Can Bones Hyland Break into the Clippers Rotation?
Hyland didn’t expect to be buried on the bench after being traded by the Denver Nuggets last season. Yet, there he was, game after game. Disgruntled, Hyland says that the experience was “challenging,“ per the Press-Telegram’s Janis Carr.
Though a sentiment he shared with fellow fan favorite PJ Tucker, the situation for Hyland was a bit different. They both had skills that they could offer to the Clippers. For his part, Hyland had averaged 16.0 points per game on 49.0 percent shooting from the field (46.4 percent from 3) in October. However, L.A.’s acquisition of James Harden had already been threatening to push Westbrook down the depth chart. Hyland and Harden are both combo guards, but the Clippers had to reserve minutes for several wings, limiting the number of minutes they could spend off-ball.
To top it all off, in the few minutes that Hyland received, he was mediocre at best. It’s difficult to ascertain a player’s value in limited playing time. However, shooting 22.5 percent from the field (22.7 percent from 3) didn’t do much to improve it.
It had to be ironic for Hyland. Part of the reason he was available for trade when the Clippers acquired him from the Nuggets was because he was dissatisfied with inconsistencies in his role and playing time. Like L.A., Denver desired a more balanced playmaker.
Sixth Man of the Year Potential
Yet, upon being traded, Hyland averaged 10.8 points and 3.4 assists in 18.9 minutes per game for the Clippers. Those numbers would translate to 20.5 points and 6.4 assists per 36 minutes. Though far from a perfect science, extrapolating his averages reveals how well he might produce in a larger role. With his numbers, Hyland is a future Sixth Man of the Year candidate. His play style also lends credence to this belief. A shifty shot-creator whose playmaking feel allows him to make dazzling passes, he’s undeniably effective on offense.
Over his last five games with the Clippers, Hyland is averaging 17.1 points, 5.2 assists, and 2.1 steals per 36 minutes. His efficiency seems unstainable with him shooting 46.4 percent from the field (50.0 percent from 3). However, his effort and focus can be. His ability to create shots for himself or others has long been proven.
Staying Out of the Boneyard
A month ahead of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, there’s still no return date for Westbrook. Harden, though only missing five games this season, is never a guarantee to remain healthy. The same can be said of L.A.s other shot-creators, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, as well. With multiple on-ball playmakers that are injured or injury-prone, buying into his development could help keep the Clippers out of the boneyard for a little while longer.
