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Clippers Wrap Up Summer League Play

LOS ANGELES – Forward Branden Dawson ended his Orlando Summer League play on a high note, though the Clippers dropped the finale.

Dawson poured in a Summer-League high 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting and added six rebounds and two assists, but the Clippers (0-5) got down quickly Friday against the Knicks (2-3) and turnovers remained a problem in trying to battle back in a 106-77 loss.

“I think overall the week went well,” said Clippers Summer League head coach Brendan O’Connor. “Obviously our record wouldn’t lead you to believe that, but I think our young guys that are going to be with us got better as the week went along.”

Second-round pick Diamond Stone also added seven field goals, tying Dawson for the team lead Friday, and scored 15 points. Stone also tied first-round pick Brice Johnson with a team-high with seven rebounds on Friday, finishing Summer League with 10.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

Johnson led the Clippers in points per game (15.4) and rebounds per game (6.8) in his five Summer League games, though he struggled with his shot Friday in a 1-for-13 performance. He tried to help in other ways, leading the team with four assists.

But turnovers across the board were too costly, as the Clippers committed 19 as a team, including three apiece from the five starters, and shot 38.5 percent from the floor.

O’Connor said the draft picks will get a short break following Summer League action, but it won’t be long before they’re back with the basketball and training staff getting prepared for the season.

“They’re not going to have too much time to relax,” O’Connor said.