The Clippers finish off their 2023-2024 preseason with a home contest against the Denver Nuggets.
Game Information
Where: Crypto.com, Los Angeles, California
When: 7:00 PM PT
How to Watch: KTLA, AM 570
Projected Starting Lineups
Nuggets: Jamal Murray – Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – Michael Porter Jr. – Aaron Gordon – Nikola Jokic
Clippers: Russell Westbrook – Paul George – Kawhi Leonard – Nic Batum – Ivica Zubac
Injuries
Nuggets: Michael Porter Jr. Questionable (Ankle), Christian Braun Questionable (Calf), Vlatko Cancar Out (Knee)
Clippers: Brandon Boston Out (Knee)
Notes
The Fifth Starter: The Clippers have started Terance Mann, Robert Covington, and Nic Batum at power forward so far, so it will be interesting to see if Lue goes with one of them in this game, perhaps indicating who he’s leaning towards as the fifth starter when the games begin. There is, of course, the unfortunate chance he gives Marcus Morris the starting spot, or goes with someone else like KJ Martin or even Bones Hyland. It’s also possible that who Ty starts in this one has no bearing on plans going forward, so hopefully there won’t be any over exaggerations.
Regular Season Tune-Up: The final preseason game is usually the “closest” to the real deal, with full-time starters and core players getting extended minutes compared to the “first half only” approach of early camp. The Clippers are loath to give their key players serious minutes in games that don’t matter, but we will see if Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and the rest of the core veterans appear in the second half as well. I would really like to see the Clippers put out something close to their full regular season approach in this one, even if the effort isn’t 100%.
Rest of Rotation Decisions: Outside of that fifth starter role, there are a couple other rotation decisions that need to be made. Bones Hyland, Norm Powell, and Mason Plumlee are locks off the bench, which leaves three spots available between the last starting spot, and the two bench forwards. Terance Mann is a lock for one of those spots. If he starts, then KJ Martin and one of Batum or RoCo will probably fill the bench roles. If Mann comes off the bench, it seems likely one of Nico or RoCo will start (Morris remains an unpleasant possibility). That would leave one spot, which could either be the other of the vets or Martin. My inkling is that KJ might be out of the rotation unless Terance starts, as he hasn’t been good in preseason and the lack of shooting is an issue, but we will just have to see.
