Los Angeles Clippers News

WESTERN PACIFIC

Kawhi Leonard • SF • Clippers

Kawhi Leonard Leads Team Stripes In All-Star Thriller

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard poured in 31 points on 11-of-13 shooting, including six triples, with three rebounds and two steals in 12 minutes during Team Stripes' 48-45 win over Team World on Sunday. He totaled 37 points across the event. The exhibition carries no direct fantasy impact, but Leonard enters the stretch run locked in, averaging 29.6 points, 2.2 threes, 8.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.4 steals over his last five games. With James Harden traded and Darius Garland (toe) lacking a clear timetable to return, Leonard's 34.5 percent usage should remain elite, while John Collins and Brook Lopez profile as complementary options.

2 days ago

Nicolas Batum • PF • Clippers

Nicolas Batum Out Versus Houston

According to NBA writer Justin Russo, Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum (rest) is unavailable for Wednesday's matchup with the Houston Rockets. The 37-year-old did not log any minutes in Tuesday's loss to Houston and will now get the second half of the back-to-back off for maintenance purposes. Batum is averaging 4.4 points and 2.6 rebounds in 19.5 minutes per game, so his absence is unlikely to carry much fantasy impact this evening.

7 days ago

Darius Garland • PG • Clippers

Darius Garland Without Timeline for Return

Los Angeles Clippers point guard Darius Garland (toe) doesn't have a return timeline, Law Murray of The Athletic reports. Garland has been dealing with toe injuries this season and still hasn't fully recovered from offseason left toe surgery. "We're gonna get it right and take as long as it takes," Clippers president Lawrence Frank said on Monday. Once healthy, Garland is set to form a new-look backcourt for the Clippers with Bennedict Mathurin. Kris Dunn will continue to start at point guard until Garland returns. He has averaged 8.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists across February.

Feb 10

Yanic Konan Niederhauser • C • Clippers

Yanic Konan Niederhauser Leaves Friday's Game with Illness

Los Angeles Clippers center Yanic Konan Niederhauser (illness) did not return after halftime Friday against Sacramento, finishing with two points in six minutes after appearing unlisted on the pregame injury report. His status for Sunday versus Minnesota remains uncertain. If Niederhauser misses time, the Clippers are expected to lean heavily on 37-year-old veteran Brook Lopez, who logged 36 minutes and produced 15 points, nine rebounds, two assists, one steal, and three blocks. Lopez profiles as a strong short-term streamer. Isaiah Jackson may also enter the mix once cleared, but his presence would likely muddy the rotation for deep-league managers.

Feb 7

Isaiah Jackson • PF • Clippers

Isaiah Jackson Not Available Friday vs. Kings

Los Angeles Clippers center Isaiah Jackson will not be available Friday in Sacramento as his move to Los Angeles has yet to be finalized, keeping his team debut on hold until at least Sunday against Minnesota. In the meantime, the Clippers will continue to split frontcourt minutes between veteran Brook Lopez and rookie Yanic Konan Niederhauser. Lopez and Niederhauser are both fringe plays short-term, though Niederhauser carries more upside in the late-season rotation after logging 25 minutes for 10 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks last game. Once active, Jackson's strong per-minute profile of 13.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.6 blocks per 36 minutes could quickly crowd the center rotation.

Feb 6

Darius Garland • PG • Clippers

Darius Garland Unavailable Friday Night

Los Angeles Clippers point guard Darius Garland (toe) won't be ready to make his team debut on Friday against the Sacramento Kings. Garland has landed in L.A. nursing a toe injury, and it remains uncertain when he will be available for action. With Garland out of the mix, Kris Dunn and Kobe Sanders have more fantasy appeal, but the two are hard to trust due to their inconsistent performances. After a couple of strong outings, Sanders produced a four-point dud as a starter in Wednesday's loss to Cleveland. Meanwhile, Dunn has been limited to 5.3 points, 5.0 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game over his last four appearances.

Feb 5

Isaiah Jackson • PF • Clippers

Isaiah Jackson Traded to Clippers

The Indiana Pacers are trading center Isaiah Jackson to the Los Angeles Clippers in a deal that includes Ivica Zubac and Bennedict Mathurin, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Jackson has spent the first five seasons of his career in Indiana, averaging 7.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 15 minutes per game. With the Clippers trading Zubac, the center position has opened up with 37-year-old Brook Lopez and rookie Yanic Konan Niederhauser. Jackson is likely to come off the bench for the Clippers and is not expected to see his fantasy value improve in this deal.

Feb 5

Bennedict Mathurin • SG • Clippers

Bennedict Mathurin Traded to Clippers

The Indiana Pacers are trading guard Bennedict Mathurin to the Los Angeles Clippers in a deal that includes center Ivica Zubac, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Mathurin has spent the first four seasons of his career with the Pacers, averaging 16.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in just under 29 minutes per game. The former sixth-overall pick is heading to Los Angeles, where his offensive production should decrease with Kawhi Leonard, Darius Garland, and John Collins all expected to be key pieces moving forward. With Mathurin out of Indiana, Johnny Furphy will look to start in his place, while Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith should see slight boosts as well.

Feb 5

Ivica Zubac • C • Clippers

Ivica Zubac Unavailable on Wednesday

Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac (personal) won't be with the team on Wednesday night when the team hosts the Cleveland Cavaliers. Near the trade deadline, a personal tag raises some red flags about a potential deal. Zubac fantasy managers and Clippers fans need not worry, however. The 28-year-old and his wife had a newborn last night. Brook Lopez is likely to get the start on Wednesday. Zubac will likely rejoin the team Friday night when they visit the Sacramento Kings.

Feb 4

Derrick Jones Jr. • SF • Clippers

Derrick Jones Jr. Off the Injury Report

Los Angeles Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. (knee) is set to suit up on Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks after the team removed him from the injury report. The former dunk champion has missed a month with a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his right knee. Health issues have limited Jones Jr. to 17 appearances this season, but he's done well when active. Across 24.2 minutes per game, Jones Jr. has notched 10.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks. On Wednesday, Jones Jr.'s workload may be limited due to his lengthy absence.

Feb 3

Darius Garland • PG • Clippers

Darius Garland Traded to Clippers

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland has been traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, along with a second-round pick, in exchange for guard James Harden. Garland's name popped up in rumors over the weekend after the Cavaliers acquired Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis from the Sacramento Kings. The connection to the Clippers happened late Monday night when news of Harden's trade request came to light. Garland is averaging 18.8 PPG and 6.9 APG. He should be able to fill the facilitator role well in Los Angeles, though Clippers fans may need to wait to see him debut. He's dealing with a toe injury that's forced him to miss the last nine games for Cleveland. With his return still undetermined, Los Angeles may not see Garland suit up until after the All-Star break.

Feb 3

James Harden • SG • Clippers

James Harden Trade Coming Soon?

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden is working with his current team to line up a trade that sends the veteran guard to a new home before the trade deadline this Thursday. According to Chris Haynes of NBA on Prime, the Clippers have ramped up conversations with the Cleveland Cavaliers regarding a package that would be built around Darius Garland heading to the Clippers. Both teams are motivated to execute the deal relatively soon, so it could be one of the first major deals to go down in the next few days. Harden would join forces with Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and the rest of the Cavs, who are looking to make a push in the Eastern Conference. Harden missed the Clippers' last two games for personal reasons, and he may have already played his last game in an LA uniform if this deal gets finalized. Harden has averaged 25.4 points, 8.1 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.1 three-pointers made in 35.4 minutes per game in his 44 games so far this season.

Feb 3

James Harden • SG • Clippers

James Harden Won't Play Monday

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (personal) won't play on Monday against the Philadelphia 76ers. The former MVP will miss his second game in a row due to personal reasons. His next chance to suit up comes on Wednesday versus the Cavs. While Harden is out of the mix, Kris Dunn, Kobe Sanders and Jordan Miller will continue to get more work in the backcourt.

Feb 2

Kobe Sanders • SG • Clippers

Kobe Sanders Returns to Starting Unit Sunday

Los Angeles Clippers guard/forward Kobe Sanders will join the starting five for Sunday's tilt against the Phoenix Suns. The Clippers needed to switch things up, with James Harden (personal) out of the lineup. Sanders has made eight starts during his rookie campaign, averaging 11.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. While he has been fairly mediocre in a starting role, Sanders' efforts in the first unit include a 20-point performance against the Golden State Warriors a month ago.

Feb 1

James Harden • SG • Clippers

James Harden Unavailable Sunday

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (personal) won't play on Sunday against the Phoenix Suns. The former MVP will sit out the first leg of a back-to-back for personal reasons. With Harden out, Kris Dunn and Jordan Miller will get more work in the backcourt. The Clippers will also have Bogdan Bogdanovic (hamstring) in the lineup for the first time since Dec. 26. At the same time, the offense will flow more through Kawhi Leonard.

Feb 1

Kawhi Leonard • SF • Clippers

Kawhi Leonard Available Friday

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) will play in Friday's matchup against the Denver Nuggets. As he works through a knee contusion, the team initially listed Leonard as questionable for the matchup. Leonard has been limited to 26.3 minutes per game over the last three contests, but has still produced plenty of fantasy value. While shooting 50.0 percent from the field, Leonard has averaged 24.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists.

Jan 30

Kawhi Leonard • SF • Clippers

Kawhi Leonard Available Against Jazz

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) has shaken off a questionable tag and will play on Tuesday against the Utah Jazz, Law Murray of The Athletic reports. He's ready to make his third consecutive appearance despite nursing a left knee contusion. The Clippers have been on a roll recently, and largely thanks to Leonard's outstanding play. Leonard has averaged 31.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.4 steals over his last 15 appearances, during which the Clippers have gone 13-2. This run includes a 45-point effort from Leonard against Utah on Jan. 1.

Jan 28

Kris Dunn • PG • Clippers

Kris Dunn Cleared for Action Tuesday

Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn (ankle) will be in the lineup on Tuesday night against the Utah Jazz. Dunn sprained his right ankle in Sunday's win over the Brooklyn Nets and was listed as questionable on the initial injury report. The veteran guard has been a regular starter for the Clippers throughout the campaign, but he operates mainly as a glue guy in the lineup. Across 27.2 minutes per game, Dunn has contributed 7.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.5 steals. Offensively, he's had a miserable time against the Jazz this season, averaging just 1.0 points per game on 14.3 percent shooting.

Jan 27

Kawhi Leonard • SF • Clippers

Kawhi Leonard Questionable Tuesday

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) is questionable for Tuesday's matchup against the Utah Jazz. Last week, he returned to the lineup from a three-game absence, but the two-time Finals MVP still isn't fully healthy. Still, Leonard has previously played despite his knee issue and a questionable tag, so there's a good chance he will suit up on Tuesday. After his most recent absence, Leonard has been limited to 25.5 minutes per game. Even with a lighter workload, he has made a significant impact, posting 26.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. Kobe Sanders and Nicolas Batum are the candidates to replace Leonard in the starting unit if he can't play on Tuesday night.

Jan 27

Kris Dunn • PG • Clippers

Kris Dunn Exits Early Sunday with Ankle Injury

Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn (ankle) exited in the second quarter Sunday after turning his right ankle and was unable to return, though he remained on the bench for the second half. Dunn finished with two points, three rebounds, and one steal in 13 minutes, putting his availability for the next game in question. If he sits, Kobe Sanders profiles as the primary minutes beneficiary after logging 30 minutes off the bench and posting nine points, four rebounds, and two assists. Sanders becomes a short-term deep-league streamer, while Jordan Miller also gains fringe appeal.

Jan 26

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