Los Angeles Clippers News

Los Angeles Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. (hamstring) will return from a two-game absence on Thursday versus Dallas. The 27-year-old suffered a right hamstring strain on Dec. 8 but has made a quick recovery. Jones Jr. has been a regular starter for the Clippers all year, averaging 10.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in 25.0 minutes. However, the high-flying forward will have a limited role against his former team, so managers won't get full value out of Jones Jr. on Thursday.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) practiced on Wednesday. Even better, it was a full-contact session. The veteran is moving in a favorable direction and will accompany the Clippers on their three-game road trip. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, he still remains without a return date. Without question, Leonard is one of the most talented players in the National Basketball Association, averaging 20.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in 696 regular season contests. However, he has missed more than enough time over the years. Still, fantasy managers should keep him stashed for now, although it will be a while before he's healthy enough to handle his usual workload. In the meantime, James Harden and Norman Powell should remain the Clippers' top options on the offensive end.

Los Angeles Clippers center Mo Bamba (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Houston. The injury-prone big man will take the night off for knee injury management purposes. Bamba has been limited to 10 appearances this season, averaging 4.9 points and 3.9 rebounds with 1.2 blocks in 13.6 minutes. With him out, we should see Kai Jones take care of the backup center minutes behind Ivica Zubac. Jones offers next to no fantasy value.

Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn (illness) has received the green light to play in Sunday's contest against Houston. His status was initially up in the air as Dunn has been battling an illness. The 30-year-old has worked as a starter for the Clippers this season, though his productivity has been limited. Dunn has produced 6.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.5 steals across the season. However, there's a strong chance we will see Dunn more involved in the offense on Sunday, as James Harden (groin) won't play against his former team.

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (groin) will not play against Houston on Sunday. He's been ruled out for the game after Harden was initially handed a questionable tag. This will be the first absence of the season for Harden, who's been back in MVP form recently. Kevin Porter Jr. and Bones Hyland figure to receive an uptick in minutes without Harden, while top scorer Norman Powell should get even more usage on the offensive end.

According to ESPN reporter Ohm Youngmisuk, Los Angeles Clippers guard/forward Norman Powell (hamstring) will be unavailable Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. After recently missing six games with a left hamstring strain, Powell has the night off for the second half of a back-to-back set. He scored 30 points one day ago in Tuesday's 127-105 victory over the Trail Blazers. Terance Mann (finger) and Kevin Porter (back) will also be sidelined on Wednesday.

Los Angeles Clippers point guard Kevin Porter Jr. (ankle) will sit out Sunday's tilt against Denver. He hurt his left ankle in Friday's 93-92 loss to Minnesota. Porter Jr. scored a season-high 17 points and had three steals in Friday's contest. He's carved out a decent role on the Clippers squad, averaging 8.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 18.7 minutes. Norman Powell's (hamstring) return will help the Clippers cope with the loss of Porter Jr.'s scoring ability on Sunday, while Bones Hyland might join the rotation.

Los Angeles Clippers guard/forward Norman Powell (hamstring) will return to action on Sunday against Denver. He has finally recovered from a hamstring strain, which kept Powell sidelined for six games. The 31-year-old is off to a great start to the season and has even started to sneak into All-Star conversations. Powell has averaged 23.3 points with eye-popping 48.7 percent shooting from three-point range. His return will end Amir Coffey's spell as a starter. Coffey should still play an important role in the rotation but will have far less fantasy appeal coming off the bench.

According to Los Angeles Clippers head coach Ty Lue, forward Kawhi Leonard is "progressing well." However, the team will remain cautious while ensuring Leonard checks "every box" before moving on to the next step in his rehab process. Without a doubt, Leonard is one of the best players on the planet. Unfortunately, health issues have prevented him from reaching his max potential. With that in mind, it will likely be a while before the veteran is back on the floor. But he's still worth stashing as long as necessary.

Los Angeles Clippers guard/forward Norman Powell (hamstring) will miss a sixth straight game on Friday against Minnesota. Powell remains out after initially having a questionable tag. Amir Coffey will likely continue to start for Powell. He has done a good job filling in for Powell, but Coffey's game doesn't translate very well into fantasy basketball. He has averaged 9.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists as a starter. Terance Mann and Kevin Porter Jr. will see more action off the bench, but they haven't been very productive for fantasy managers, either.

Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell (hamstring) carries a questionable designation heading into Friday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He's been sidelined for the last five consecutive games with a strained left hamstring, but he seems to be trending in the right direction. If he's unable to suit up, Amir Coffey will remain in the starting five while Terance Mann and Kevin Porter Jr. see some extra time off of the bench.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Norman Powell (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Wednesday's game against the Washington Wizards. This marks the fifth game in a row that Powell has missed due to a left hamstring strain. It sounds like he's getting closer to a return, but he'll miss at least one more game. Amir Coffey will continue seeing an increased role while Powell is out. Coffey has been playing a bigger role lately for the Clippers and is worth a look as a streaming option while Powell is out.

Los Angeles Clippers guard/forward Norman Powell (hamstring) will remain on the shelf for Monday's tilt against Boston. He continues to nurse a hamstring injury, and it's not completely clear when Powell will be able to return. With him out, Amir Coffey has stepped into the starting lineup. Coffey's work mostly goes unnoticed, but he's had a decent run in the first unit, averaging 12.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists with close to 44 percent shooting from deep.

Los Angeles Clippers center Mo Bamba (knee) will sit out Monday's meeting with Boston. The Clippers finish off a back-to-back set, and the injury-prone Bamba will be rested for Monday's game. His absence will likely give extra playing opportunities to Nicolas Batum and Amir Coffey. The latter is the better fantasy option of the two, and Coffey has already stepped into a larger role lately due to Norman Powell's (hamstring) absence.

Los Angeles Clippers guard/forward Norman Powell (hamstring) has been ruled out for Wednesday's matchup against Orlando. Powell injured his left hamstring against Golden State on Monday. The 31-year-old will drop out of the lineup for the first time this season. It's been a very good campaign for Powell, who's averaging a career-high 23.3 points in 33.4 minutes. Powell also leads the team in scoring, meaning the Clippers will be in a rough spot without him on Wednesday. James Harden will likely take on more scoring responsibilities, with either Amir Coffey or Terance Mann getting the nod to start.

According to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN, Los Angeles Clippers center Mo Bamba (knee) is questionable for Monday's contest with the Golden State Warriors due to left knee recovery. The big man made his regular season debut on Sunday, registering eight points, eight rebounds, and one assist in 15 minutes. With the Clippers in the second half of back-to-back games, the 26-year-old is likely out just for precautionary reasons. In Bamba's absence, Kai Jones and Nicolas Batum will likely see an uptick in minutes on the court.

Los Angeles Clippers center Mo Bamba (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Golden State Warriors. Bamba has yet to make his season debut as he continues to miss time due to left knee soreness. His next chance to suit up will be against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday. Until then, Kai Jones figures to continue serving as the primary backup center to Ivica Zubac. There isn't enough playing time available for Jones to warrant streaming him right now.

Los Angeles Clippers guard Bones Hyland will get the chance to test out free agency after this season. According to NBA Insider Chris Haynes, Hyland and the Clippers were not able to reach terms on a rookie contract extension, so he'll become an unrestricted free agent at year's end. The 24-year-old took a step back last season in terms of playing time after appearing in the fewest games in his first three seasons. In 37 appearances, Hyland averaged 6.9 points, 2.5 assists, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.2 turnovers across 14.6 minutes per contest.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) will miss indefinite time to start the season as he works to rehabilitate from inflammation in his right knee. Leonard began experiencing inflammation in his surgically repaired knee during a March 31st game against the Charlotte Hornets. The inflammation held him out for the rest of the regular season and he was only able to play in two of the six games in the Clippers' series loss to the Dallas Mavericks. The team's goal for the 33-year-old is to keep him healthy throughout the season. Given his prior health issues the Clippers will need to be cautious and diligent in their approach to Leonard's playing time, an approach that's excluded Leonard from participating in any on-court drills during the preseason. Fantasy managers should avoid taking Leonard in the early rounds of their drafts with uncertainty on his availability. In his absence, James Harden should see an increase in usage. Nicolas Batum and Amir Coffey will be in line to take his spot in the starting lineup while he is out.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) has been ruled out for the rest of the preseason. Following Monday's 110-96 win over Dallas, the Clippers have one more game to go on their preseason schedule. Leonard hasn't seen any action in preseason after undergoing offseason knee surgery. Speaking ahead of training camp, Leonard seemed confident about being in the lineup for the regular-season opener against Phoenix on Oct. 23, but that now seems far from certain. James Harden's usage numbers will likely go through the roof if Leonard isn't healthy to start the campaign, with Nicolas Batum or Amir Coffey taking over his spot in the starting lineup.