After a disheartening, lopsided loss to the Phoenix Suns, the LA Clippers hope to get back on track against the visiting Washington Wizards.
Game Information
Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
When: 1 PM PST
How to watch: Clippervision, KTLA
Projected Starting Lineups
Clippers: John Wall – Terance Mann – Kawhi Leonard – Marcus Morris – Moses Brown
Washington Wizards: Monte Morris – Corey Kispert – Deni Avdija – Kyle Kuzma – Kristaps Porzingis
Injury Report
Clippers: Paul George (left knee) questionable, Reggie Jackson (left Achilles) questionable, Norman Powell(groin) out, Ivica Zubac (left knee) out
Wizards: Kristaps Porzingis (back) available, Bradley Beal (right hamstring) questionable, Rui Hachimura (right ankle) out, Delon Wright (right hamstring) out
The Big Picture
Inconsistent is the word that best sums up the Clippers season to this point. They had recently strung together a solid couple of games, including one of the best wins of the season against the Boston Celtics, and seemingly had some momentum built up. But a bevy of injuries left them shorthanded against the Phoenix Suns and they ended up with one of their worst losses of the season.
What is a little bit concerning is that Ivica Zubac is among the most recent injuries. There is absolutely nobody else on the roster that can come close to replicating Zubac’s impact on the court this season, especially on the defensive end. The Clippers were already small in the frontcourt to begin with, and this leaves them even more thin having to rely on Moses Brown – who to this point has shown little more than occasional flashes, and Moussa Diabate who is still very raw as a rookie.
And Reggie Jackson, who has been the Clippers ultimate warrior playing through various ailments, is also sidelined.
The good news for the Clippers is that Kawhi Leonard is back in the lineup after missing the Suns game due to his customary rest on the second night of a back to back. Luke Kennard should also be back after missing the Suns game due to right calf soreness. Those two players are critical to the Clippers offense in their ability to handle the ball, create off the dribble and knock down shots. With Leonard in particular, while he is clearly still getting back up to game speed, his mere presence does wonders for the offense. He is someone opposing defenses need to be aware of and he’s able to open up scoring opportunities for everyone else on the court.
It’s clearly frustrating for both the players and the fans having to deal with an ever-rotating lineup for the second straight season. There’s still a lot of basketball left to be played, but regular season continuity matters a lot.
The Antagonist
The Washington Wizards come to town in dire straights having dropped eight consecutive games and 11 of their last 12. This is simply not a good basketball team, and if rumors are to be believed, Kyle Kuzma, one of their lone bright spots, has one foot out the door already.
They will get some help back though in the form of Kristaps Porzingis, who missed their last game against the Denver Nuggets with a back issue. He played well against the Clippers in their meeting just a few days ago in Washington. They may or may not have Bradley Beal who is listed as questionable after missing five games with a hamstring issue.
In their last meeting, the Clippers narrowly escaped the nation’s capital with a close win. John Wall was a key catalyst due to him being back in Washington, the place where his NBA career began. The Wizards were shorthanded then as well.
The Clippers are more than capable of beating this team at home even with the players who most likely will be out. But as inconsistent as this team has been, its tough to really predict what happens.
