The Los Angeles Clippers come out of the All-Star break with a 26-28 record, a miracle given they held a 6-21 record earlier in the season. Currently, the 10th seed in the Western Conference, with a chance to move up to the ninth seed with a win, the Clippers' roster has seen some significant turnaround as of late.

That came in the form of trades of James Harden and Ivica Zubac, the team's two best players behind Kawhi Leonard. While they received young assets and draft picks in exchange, it's still a roster that made a significant change in the second half of the season.

Matching up against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night, the Clippers will have to wait on the debut of their star guard.

The Clippers have three players listed as OUT on Thursday's injury report, with Bradley Beal (hip) and TyTy Washington Jr. (two-way) being two of them. The most prominent of the three, though, is Darius Garland, as the trade acquisition from the James Harden deal is OUT due to a left toe injury.

According to The Athletic's Law Murray, Garland will be out at least two more games, meaning he could make his debut perhaps later next week at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Once the Clippers can get Garland on the floor, they'll hope to see a version more reminiscent of the 2024-25 season, where he averaged 20.6 points and 6.7 assists, earning an All-Star selection and finishing sixth in Clutch Player of the Year voting.

However, Garland's absence allows more opportunity for Bennedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson to get integrated into the Clippers system, both coming over from the Zubac trade.

The Nuggets are starting to get back to full strength, but they still remain without two of their best players.

Denver's injury report for Thursday includes Tamar Bates (foot), Aaron Gordon (hamstring), Curtis Jones (two-way), and Peyton Watson (hamstring), all of whom are OUT.

Jalen Pickett is also listed with right knee soreness, but holds a PROBABLE designation.

This will be the third and final regular season contest between the Clippers and Nuggets, with Denver taking the first two in double-digit victories. Both teams entered the All-Star break with a win, and there's definitely an argument to be had over who's been hotter between Kawhi Leonard and Nikola Jokic.

Tip-off is set for 10:30 p.m. EST at the Intuit Dome, the first game back since hosting a thrilling 2026 All-Star Game.