INGLEWOOD — The man behind the Clippers’ defense, the coach who is seen but rarely speaks, spoke after practice Saturday. For the first time since he joined the Clippers’ coaching staff two years ago, lead assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy addressed the media ahead of their game Sunday against t he New Orleans Pelicans. With coach Tyronn Lue away from the team for personal reasons, Van Gundy, who prefers the background, was pressed into service and discussed how Darius Garland will fit into the defense and how his presence will affect Kawhi Leonard’s role. Lue has been starting defensive-minded Kris Dunn and forward Derrick Jones Jr. to help take the load off Leonard; Garland is expected to slip into one of those two positions. But that doesn’t mean Leonard’s lockdown defense will be shelved. The Clippers (27-31), who are fighting for a higher Play-In spot (they currently are 10th in the Western Conference), will need contributions from everyone, but especially Leonard, a two-time Defensive Player of the Year. The seven-time All-Star and seven-time All-Defensive selection is a key reason why the Clippers are 11th in defensive rating since Dec. 20 after starting the season near the bottom. Overall, they are 18th in the league in limiting opponents to 115.4 points a game. “When you have a home-run hitter like Kawhi, you don’t want to take the bat out of his hands ever,” Van Gundy said. “So, he may not guard the best or the most dangerous player from the start, but for us to be what we hoped and what we aspire to be defensively, he’s got to want to guard that guy and he’s going to have to guard that guy on certain occasions.” Leonard, who missed practice Saturday because of illness and the last game because of ankle soreness, is questionable for Sunday’s game. Van Gundy said Leonard is still a defensive threat even at 32 years old. “He’s every bit as capable as he’s always been defensively. There’s nothing that Kawhi is incapable of,” Van Gundy said. “So, it would be a poor choice by us as a coaching staff if we didn’t keep the bat in his hand. That doesn’t mean every possession, every game, but certainly you have to utilize that, or you’re diminishing your chances.” Garland could make his Clippers debut as soon as Monday, when the team travels to the Bay Area to face the Golden State Warriors in the second game of a back-to-back. The point guard, who has been dealing with toe issues since coming to the Clippers, scrimmaged Saturday for a second time in three days. His presence on the court will not only be felt on the defensive end, but from the 3-point line. A career 38.6% shooter from long range, Garland will help the Clippers’ sagging long-range shooting, which is hovering at 34.0%. “Obviously, he’s so incredibly talented. There’s nothing really he can’t do, especially offensively, but I think the most exciting thing has just been his energy,” Clippers center Brook Lopez said. “We already have a great group, a wonderful group of guys, good energy and connection on court, and I think he definitely adds to that and enhances it.” New Orleans at Clippers When: 6 p.m. Sunday Where: Intuit Dome TV/Radio: FDSN SoCal/AM 570 Related Articles Short-handed Clippers can’t outlast Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves Darius Garland taking steps toward his Clippers debut Clippers come up short against Magic Clippers’ Brook Lopez all about staying ready Luka Doncic’s 38-point night helps Lakers hold off Clippers ...read more read less