Inglewood presents a unique scenario when a 7-foot tall and 231-pound athlete like Mo Bamba steps onto the court. His very presence can shift a basketball team's outlook. When he checked into Sunday's game against the Utah Jazz, it was a moment that few could have predicted.

Mo Bamba's Return - A Game-Changer for the Clippers

Season Debut Against the Jazz

In his season debut, Bamba showcased his skills with nine points on 4-of-8 shooting and one free throw. He also contributed eight rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one turnover in just 15 minutes, helping the Clippers secure a solid victory. This performance demonstrated his ability to make an immediate impact on the game.During the next game against the Golden State Warriors on Monday, Bamba had a more understated yet effective showing with three points, two rebounds, and two steals in seven minutes. His consistent efforts on both ends of the court were evident.

Dealing with Knee Injury

Since joining the Clippers in the offseason, Bamba had been sidelined due to a chronic knee injury that had flared up before training camp. This was a similar issue he faced last season with the Philadelphia 76ers, but he managed to play through it then. The Clippers' medical staff had different plans and kept him out for the first month. He then went to the G League to get game action.Bamba explained, "It was annoying but not a specific injury. I kept getting this pocket of fluid in my knee, and it was frustrating as we couldn't figure out why it was happening. Now, we have a plan to manage it moving forward."

Adding Value to the Team

Back on the court, Bamba brings a unique combination of defensive skill, size, and scoring ability to the Clippers. He provides a breather for starting center Ivica Zubac, who has been averaging 34.1 minutes per game, up from 26.4 minutes last season.Bamba said, "What felt easy was just meshing with the guys. I've played with a lot of them in the early stages when I signed, like the Rico (Hines) runs, so they know my game well. But it's different at this level. For things to mesh as quickly as they did was positive. The second unit needs to do a better job of coming in and dominating the little things."

Evaluating His Performance

After his Clippers debut, Bamba wasn't satisfied. He noted that his shot was flat and his timing on blocked shots needed work, but his rebounding felt strong."Normally when I miss time and come back, my rebounding timing is a little off, but today I was aggressive in going to meet the ball," he said. Despite the layoff, Bamba is eager to kickstart his career.

From Orlando to the Clippers

Bamba was drafted sixth overall by the Orlando Magic in 2018 and averaged 8.9 points and 6.1 rebounds over four-plus seasons. He was traded to the Lakers after two on-court altercations and appeared in 10 games before being waived. He then signed a one-year deal with the Sixers and played alongside Joel Embiid.Unlike Embiid, who has stated he won't play in both games of back-to-back sets this season, Bamba plans on playing in all games if needed. He joked with Clutch Points, "I'm not Joel. I'm going to die on my shield if I have to."The Clippers will resume their busy schedule on Wednesday night against the Orlando Magic at Intuit Dome. This is their third of four home games this week and 10th in the past 17 days. They close out the homestand on Friday night against the Sacramento Kings.