The Los Angeles Clippers will face the Sacramento Kings on April 5 with a significantly depleted roster.
Kawhi Leonard, Bradley Beal, Isaiah Jackson, and Yanic Konan Niederhauser are all sidelined, leaving the Clippers without three starters. Leonard leads the team with 28.0 points per game and 6.3 rebounds, making his absence particularly impactful.
Sacramento will also be missing several key players, including Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, De’Andre Hunter, Keegan Murray, and Russell Westbrook. Sabonis, averaging 15.8 points and 11.4 rebounds, is out following left knee meniscus surgery. LaVine (19.2 points per game) is recovering from right finger tendon repair.
The Clippers have lost back-to-back home games, falling 99-118 to San Antonio on April 2 and 104-114 to Portland on March 31. Leonard’s absence has already affected their offensive efficiency. Bennedict Mathurin has been the team’s second-highest scorer this season at 19.4 points per game but will need additional support from role players like Darius Garland and John Collins.
Meanwhile, the Kings enter the matchup on a two-game winning streak. Sacramento narrowly defeated New Orleans 117-113 on April 3 and overcame Toronto 123-115 on April 1.
Despite being eliminated from playoff contention, the team has shown resilience with DeMar DeRozan leading the charge at 18.6 points per game. Maxime Raynaud and Precious Achiuwa provide frontcourt stability in Sabonis’ absence.
This season, the Clippers and Kings have split their previous three meetings, with the Clippers winning the first two contests and the Kings taking the most recent matchup 118-109 on March 14.
