Clippers’ Leonard still in touch, just not on court

The Los Angeles Clippers don’t have injured Kawhi Leonard on the court. He’s everywhere else, though.

In the halftime locker room, texting, on the phone, watching from above the floor, all the while analyzing and suggesting ways for his team to get past the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Finals.

Leonard watched with his family from a Staples Center suite Thursday night, when Paul George had 27 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists in a gamehigh 43 minutes of the Clippers’ 106-92 victory. It cut their series deficit to 2-1.

Leonard met up with his teammates at halftime, when they trailed by two.

“He was just telling me rotations, what to look for, what’s open, what’s available,” George said. “It gave me a good game plan going into the second half for what to look for.”

Clearly, it worked. The Clippers outscored the Suns 60-42 in the second half.

Leonard hasn’t played since Game 4 of the second round against Utah because of a right knee sprain. The All-Star joined the coaches’ huddle in Game 6, when the Clippers closed out the Jazz and advanced to the conference finals for the first time in franchise history.

Coach Tyronn Lue said Leonard won’t play in Game 4 on Saturday night. The Suns are 1-point favorites, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

“He’s very much a part of this team without being able to play right now,” George said. “It’s just great to have his mind and his presence part of this game, part of this team.”

Leonard’s low-key approach is in direct contrast to the fiery Patrick Beverley (Devin Booker’s nose got broken when they headbutted in Game 2). Beverley went up to each of his teammates at halftime Thursday, telling them what they needed to do. Marcus Morris, Rajon Rondo and littleused DeMarcus Cousins are the other veterans who have their say, too.

“It’s an amazing locker room we have,” guard Reggie Jackson said. “Everybody tried to collectively lead from their position, from their role, and everybody has pure intent. It doesn’t matter who is on who, who is saying what.

We know where it comes from, from the heart and at the end of the day we want to win.”

ANKLE PAYNE >> The Suns took it as an encouraging sign when guard Cameron Payne got some shots up during a light workout Friday.

He left Thursday’s game after just four minutes because of a left ankle injury.

“We think he’s getting better,” coach Monty Williams said. “He’s walking around fine. We hope he can get back on the floor tomorrow.”

Payne proved a solid fillin for Chris Paul during the first two games of the series, highlighted by 29 points and nine assists in Game 2.

Paul returned Thursday after being released from the league’s health and safety protocols. Payne’s availability is crucial in order to spell Paul after the veteran guard played 38 minutes, which Williams said was too much.

Paul got fouled near the Clippers’ bench in the second quarter. He repeatedly shook his right hand and stretched his fingers out.

Williams said Paul’s hand was “a little sore,” however he seemed to be OK.

REFS UNDER PRESSURE TO CALL BUCKS’ ANTETOKOUNMPO FOR 10-SECOND VIOLATION >> Giannis Antetokounmpo’s lengthy freethrow routine might be too long to be legal.

Officials are under renewed pressure to enforce the 10-second rule, placing the Milwaukee Bucks’ two-time MVP further in the spotlight Friday night in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Atlanta Hawks.

The NBA said Antetokounmpo should have been called for 10-second violations on both free throws he shot with 5.3 seconds remaining in the Hawks’ 116113 Game 1 win on Wednesday night. Antetokounmpo made both free throws, trimming the Hawks’ lead to 114-113.

Antetokounmpo’s habit of taking longer than the maximum 10 seconds allowed by NBA rule is not new.

“I think the whole league notices it, to be honest,” Hawks rookie center Onyeka Okongwu said Friday. “Everyone knows Giannis gets 10-second violations at the free throw line. ... Everyone knows it’s longer than most people’s routine is.”

Asked how players react when officials don’t enforce the rule, Okongwu just shrugged.

“That’s up to the referees to make the call, definitely,” Okongwu said. “We can do what we want but at the end of the day the referee makes the call.”

The officials also have noticed, at least occasionally.

Antetokounmpo has been called for 10-second violations twice during the postseason.

“It’s a rule that we want them to call,” Hawks coach Nate McMillan said.