The Los Angeles Clippers travel to New Orleans to face the Pelicans Thursday at 8:00 PM ET at the Smoothie King Center, with both teams dealing with significant injury concerns. Multiple starters and rotation players are listed out or questionable, which could impact rotations and game strategy.
Los Angeles enters the game with Bradley Beal (left hip fracture) and Darius Garland (left toe, injury management) out, while Kawhi Leonard is questionable with a left ankle sprain. Bennedict Mathurin (right toe) and Yanic Konan Niederhauser (right Lisfranc ligament tear) are also sidelined.
Leonard leads the Clippers in scoring at 28.2 PPG, making his status critical for offensive flow.
The Pelicans have several players unavailable, including Dejounte Murray (right Achilles) and Bryce McGowens (right small toe fracture). G League two-way players Trey Alexander, Hunter Dickinson, and Josh Oduro are also out.
Available rotation players include Trey Murphy III (21.9 PPG), Zion Williamson (21.4 PPG, 5.8 RPG), and Herbert Jones (8.9 PPG), forming the core of New Orleans’ lineup.
The Clippers are coming off back-to-back losses, falling to the Pelicans 124-109 and the Spurs 119-115, dropping their record to 34-35.
New Orleans has won its last two games, improving to 24-46 after defeating the Mavericks 129-111.
Thursday marks the fourth matchup between these teams this season. Los Angeles leads the series 2-1 after wins on October 31 (126-124) and March 1 (137-117), while New Orleans won the most recent meeting 124-109.
