Los Angeles Clippers News

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Kawhi Leonard  • SF  •  Clippers

Kawhi Leonard Expected To Miss Indefinite Time To Start The Season

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.
4 hours ago   
Kawhi Leonard  • SF  •  Clippers

Kawhi Leonard Ruled Out For Rest Of Preseason

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.
2 days ago   
Bones Hyland  • PG  •  Clippers

Bones Hyland Battling Hip Soreness

Los Angeles Clippers guard Bones Hyland missed Tuesday's preseason clash against Brooklyn with left hip soreness. Hyland could really use a good preseason to boost his stock in Los Angeles, and the hip problem is definitely a setback for him. The 24-year-old did well in the Clippers' preseason opener against Golden State at the weekend, tallying seven points and four rebounds in 13 minutes. Hyland's next chance to play comes on Friday against Portland.
Oct 9   
Derrick Jones Jr.  • SF  •  Clippers

Derrick Jones Jr. "Fine" Despite Tuesday's Early Exit

Los Angeles Clippers small forward Derrick Jones Jr. (head) is reportedly okay after getting hurt in Tuesday's preseason clash versus Brooklyn. Jones Jr. was hit to the head in the second quarter, exiting the court while holding a towel to his face. Shortly after the incident, Jones Jr. was ruled out for the rest of the game with a head contusion. However, The Athletic's Law Murray has reported that Jones Jr. is "fine" and there shouldn't be anything to worry about going forward. The eight-year veteran is projected to be a starter for the Clippers this season after inking a three-year, $30 million contract as a free agent in the summer.
Oct 9   
Kawhi Leonard  • SF  •  Clippers

Kawhi Leonard Ruled Out Tuesday

Law Murray of The Athletic reports that Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) will not play in Tuesday's preseason game against Brooklyn. Leonard has yet to be cleared for 5-on-5 scrimmages after undergoing a procedure on his right knee in May. The Clippers are cautious as the 33-year-old's health has been an issue since joining the team in 2019. When Leonard is available, he is a fantasy force, averaging 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals across 68 contests one season ago.
Oct 8   
Mo Bamba  • C  •  Clippers

Mo Bamba Out Tuesday Versus Nets

According to Law Murray of The Athletic, Los Angeles Clippers center Mo Bamba (knee) will not suit up against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday. Bamba will miss his second consecutive preseason game, and his participation has been limited during training camp. He spent last season with the 76ers, averaging 4.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 0.7 assists, and 1.8 blocks across 57 games. The 26-year-old can be dominant defensively, but he is not known to make an impact in fantasy.
Oct 8   
Terance Mann  • PG  •  Clippers

Terance Mann Set To Start On Tuesday

Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann will slot into the starting lineup for the team's second preseason game on Tuesday. Head coach Ty Lue said that he will be taking Kris Dunn's spot in the starting lineup and they'll see how he meshes with some of the starters. Kawhi Leonard (knee) hasn't been cleared for game action yet, so the other starters based on the previous game look like James Harden, Norman Powell, Derrick Jones Jr., and Ivica Zubac. Mann will probably receive plenty of opportunities this season whether it's as a starter or bench player, but the Clippers have some room to experiment with lineups.
Oct 7   
Kawhi Leonard  • SF  •  Clippers

Kawhi Leonard, Clippers Taking Knee Recovery "Day By Day"

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) underwent a procedure on his right knee in May after he was able to only play two games in their first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks. Leonard said that the knee is feeling "good" right now and "We're just taking it slow, day by day and just trying to get me back on the floor." The Clippers are understandably taking a cautious approach after trading away Paul George and putting the weight of the team on James Harden and Leonard's shoulders. His health has been the trickiest part of the situation ever since he joined the Clippers in 2019. This past season, Leonard played in 68 games, which is his highest mark since the 2016-17 season when he was still with the San Antonio Spurs. Every time he's on the floor, he proves why the Clippers wanted him in the first place, but his injury status is something to constantly monitor.
Oct 7   
P.J. Tucker  • PF  •  Clippers

P.J. Tucker Away From The Clippers, Future In Doubt

Los Angeles Clippers forward P.J. Tucker is away from the team right now as a mutually agreed situation while the team decides how to move forward with the former NBA Champ. Tucker expressed frustration with his role on the team last season and it looks like that hasn't been resolved heading into training camp and the preseason. Both sides agreed to take some time apart while the Clippers decide if they can trade him. Tucker has an $11.5 million price tag for this season after opting into the option, so teams haven't been very interested in his level of contribution for such a high price. The new tax aprons further complicate things, so it may be a while until we see Tucker on the court again.
Oct 7   
Kawhi Leonard  • SF  •  Clippers

Kawhi Leonard Ready For Season Opener

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) aims to play in the season opener on Oct. 23 against the Phoenix Suns. The multi-time Finals MVP is battling inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee, but speaking to the media on Monday, Leonard said the knee is "feeling a lot better than it was" and that the plan is for him to play against the Suns. While this is an encouraging update, Leonard also admitted he could be forced to deal with the inflammation for the rest of his career. This means that fantasy managers who plan on having Leonard on their team must be prepared to be without him for stretches across the season.
Oct 1   
James Harden  • SG  •  Clippers

James Harden Says He's "Home" With Clippers, Wants To Leave A Legacy

Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard James Harden said that he was "home" when asked about re-signing with the Clippers this season. "I don't plan on going anywhere else. I wanna leave a legacy," the 35-year-old stated. Harden signed a two-year, $70M contract this offseason that includes a player option for the 2025-2026 season. NBA fans may be a little skeptical about his intentions not to go anywhere else as he's been on the move quite often since his final days in Houston. However, Harden sounds happy where he's at on a roster that's been a perennial playoff contender since the 2011-2012 season. Harden saw a drop in production across the board in his first season in LA, averaging 16.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG and 8.5 APG. He will likely be asked to produce more with the departure of Paul George, meaning more opportunities from three. Harden averaged 6.8 three point attempts last season, mostly in line with his volume as a Net and a Sixer. Fantasy managers will want to keep an eye on Harden in their upcoming drafts. With a current ADP of 21, Harden will be a very important piece to any fantasy roster.
Oct 1   
Kawhi Leonard  • SF  •  Clippers

Kawhi Leonard Still Dealing With Swelling

According to Los Angeles Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank, forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) is still dealing with swelling in his right knee. While the veteran's condition has improved, it will still limit him during training camp. Most assumed the issue would be behind him. However, it doesn't appear to be the case. Leonard finished last season by averaging 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like Leonard is a lock to be ready to begin the 2024-25 campaign, so his fantasy stock will suffer until there is more clarity regarding his health. For now, it may be best for managers to look in another direction during fantasy drafts, at least in the first few rounds.
Sep 24   
Ivica Zubac  • C  •  Clippers

Ivica Zubac, Clippers Agree On Contract Extension

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac agreed to a three-year, $58.6 million contract extension. The Clippers' roster will look different in 2024-25, with Paul George and Russell Westbrook no longer in Los Angeles. Of course, the club still has Kawhi Leonard (knee) and James Harden in the starting lineup. But the Clippers will also have Zubac, who ended the 2023-24 campaign by averaging a career-high 11.7 points with 9.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. Fantasy managers should continue to get consistent production from the 27-year-old, and his durability makes him a welcome addition to any fantasy roster.
Aug 31   
Kawhi Leonard  • SF  •  Clippers

Kawhi Leonard "Feeling Good"

According to Los Angeles Clippers head coach Ty Lue, forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) will be ready for training camp in October. "I speak to him all the time," Lue said during an interview with ESPN. "He's feeling good, and I know he'll be ready for training camp." Leonard finished the 2023-24 campaign by averaging 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals. He also made 41.7% of his tries from deep. However, although Leonard appeared in 68 games, his most since 2016-17, he suffered a knee injury late in the season, causing him to miss most of the playoffs and the 2024 Summer Olympics. With Paul George signing a deal with Philadelphia this offseason and Russell Westbrook now in Denver, the Clippers need Leonard to stay healthy. Unfortunately, that's been an issue for the 33-year-old throughout his career, something managers must strongly consider during fantasy drafts. But if Leonard can stay on the floor, he has MVP potential.
Aug 29   
P.J. Tucker  • PF  •  Clippers

Clippers Preparing For Possibility Of P.J. Tucker Remaining With Team

Los Angeles Clippers forward P.J. Tucker will likely remain with the team for the start of the season. The veteran was sparingly used by the team in 2023-24, and Tucker even publicly requested a trade. According to The Athletic's Law Murray, the Clippers have explored trading him in the offseason after Tucker picked up a $11.5 million player option for the 2024-25 campaign, but a deal before training camp is considered unlikely. Despite seeing big minutes on multiple teams during a lengthy career spanning nearly 900 games, Tucker has never been a productive fantasy asset, and his stock will be at an all-time low if he can't get out of L.A.
Aug 19   
Jordan Miller  • SF  •  Clippers

Jordan Miller Racks Up 28 Points In Final Summer League Outing

Los Angeles Clippers guard/forward Jordan Miller was a scoring machine in Sunday's Summer League finale against Memphis, netting 28 points in 26 minutes on 8-for-14 shooting. He nailed four shots from downtown with five attempts and finished 8-for-9 at the line. Miller also put a shift in defensively by recording a pair of steals with one block, and he tallied two rebounds and four assists. The 24-year-old, who was an NBA G League All-Rookie Team member last season, put in impressive work throughout the Summer League. Miller averaged 25.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.4 steals across five games. He's on a two-way deal with the Clippers and could get a look by the team, but Miller faces a lot of competition for playing time in L.A.
Jul 22   
Kris Dunn  • PG  •  Clippers

Kris Dunn Moved To Clippers, Signs New Contract

As reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Kris Dunn has been acquired by the Los Angeles Clippers in a sign-and-trade that saw Russell Westbrook get traded to the Utah Jazz for the second time in his career. Dunn also signed a three-year, $17 million deal in the process. Now that Paul George and Westbrook are gone, the two stars remaining are James Harden and Kawhi Leonard. Dunn has some competition for the backup minutes in the backcourt as Bones Hyland, Amir Coffey, Norman Powell, and Terance Mann are still on the roster. Plus, newcomers Cam Christie and Kevin Porter Jr. will try to get in the mix. Dunn averaged 5.4 points, 3.8 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game across 66 appearances with the Jazz.
Jul 19   
Kevin Porter Jr.  • PG  •  Clippers

NBA To Resume Investigation Of Kevin Porter Jr.

According to Law Murray of The Athletic, the NBA will resume the investigation of Los Angeles Clippers guard Kevin Porter Jr. The 24-year-old, who recently agreed to a two-year deal with the Clippers, was arrested in September 2023 for an altercation with his ex-girlfriend and missed the 2023-24 campaign. However, he reached a plea agreement, allowing him a chance to return to the NBA. With that said, Porter has plenty of talent, averaging 15.3 points, 5.0 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 196 games with the Cavaliers and Rockets. If he avoids a lengthy suspension and remains on the court in 2024-25, he'll have a chance to produce for the Clippers, a team that lost Paul George in free agency.
Jul 11   
Kawhi Leonard  • SF  •  Clippers

Kawhi Leonard "Up And Down" During Team USA Practices

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) will not suit up for Team USA at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Although the veteran was optimistic his condition had improved enough to allow him to play, many felt it would be in his best interest to focus on getting healthy for the 2024-25 campaign. Leonard, who's battled knee injuries throughout his career, appeared in 68 games for the Clippers last season. He remained productive, averaging 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals. Without question, Leonard is one of the best players in the National Basketball Association. But his fantasy stock will continue to drop due to his inability to remain on the court.
Jul 11   
Russell Westbrook  • PG  •  Clippers

Nuggets "On Track" To Land Russell Westbrook

Los Angeles Clippers point guard Russell Westbrook continues to draw interest from the Denver Nuggets, with a potential deal likely. According to Harrison Wind of DNVR, the Nuggets are "on track" to add the former MVP to the roster. Westbrook has freshly opted into the last year of his contract that will pay him around $4 million next season. However, his future in Los Angeles is in doubt, and his admirers in Denver reportedly include Nuggets leader Nikola Jokic. Westbrook's fantasy value is far from what it used to be during his prime, but he can still rack up stats in a hurry if given enough minutes.
Jul 9   
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