The Memphis Grizzlies will take on the LA Clippers on Friday, November 28, at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles at 10:00 PM ET in an NBA Cup matchup. Both teams are struggling this season, with Memphis holding a 7-12 record and the Clippers at 5-13.
Memphis enters the game severely shorthanded. Ja Morant and Ty Jerome are sidelined with right calf strains, while Brandon Clarke remains out recovering from right knee surgery. Scotty Pippen Jr. and Javon Small are also unavailable due to toe injuries, leaving the Grizzlies with limited options for their backcourt and frontcourt rotations.
The Clippers are dealing with multiple injuries of their own. Bradley Beal is out with a left hip fracture, Bogdan Bogdanovic is sidelined with a hip contusion, Derrick Jones Jr. is unavailable due to a right knee sprain, and Jordan Miller is listed out for left hamstring management. Key players James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and Ivica Zubac are expected to start.
Recent form favors Memphis slightly. The Grizzlies won 133-128 at New Orleans on November 26 after a 115-125 home loss to Denver two days earlier.
The Clippers are on a two-game losing streak, falling 118-135 at the Lakers on November 25 and 105-120 at Cleveland on November 23.
Player stats highlight the impact of injuries. Jaren Jackson Jr. leads Memphis with 18.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, while Cedric Coward adds 13.7 points. Ja Morant has been averaging 17.9 points and 7.6 assists but will miss his fourth straight game.
For Los Angeles, James Harden contributes 27.9 points and 8.4 assists per game, with Ivica Zubac adding 16.6 points and 11.5 rebounds.
This matchup is the first of the season between the two teams.
