Both the Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers will be missing numerous key players on Saturday night.
On Saturday night, the Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers have their second battle for LA of the season. While all the big names like Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James, James Harden, and Luka Doncic will be available, both teams will be missing numerous key stars.
Even with the Lakers being shorthanded against the Clippers, they should be the overwhelming favorites to win the game.
Los Angeles Lakers Injury Report
The Los Angeles Lakers have five players listed on their injury report: Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura, Bronny James, Austin Reaves, and Gabe Vincent.
Deandre Ayton is out due to left elbow soreness, Rui Hachimura is out due to right groin soreness, Bronny James is out with a G League assignment, Austin Reaves is out with a left calf strain, and Gabe Vincent is out with low back soreness.
It'll be interesting to see how the Lakers perform without Reaves, Hachimura, and Ayton against the Clippers, but both LeBron James and Luka Doncic are available and should be more than enough.
LA Clippers Injury Report
The LA Clippers have five players listed on their injury report: Bradley Beal, Cam Christie, Derrick Jones Jr., Yanic Konan Niederhauser, and Chris Paul.
Bradley Beal remains out for the season with a left hip fracture, Cam Christie is questionable with right foot soreness, Derrick Jones Jr. remains out with a right knee sprain, Yanic Konan Niederhauser has been downgraded to out with left knee soreness, and Chris Paul remains out because he's been dismissed from the Clippers.
While the Clippers don't seem that shorthanded, the team has been incapable of winning with both Kawhi Leonard and James Harden available. The Clippers have lost 19 out of their last 22 games, are on a five-game losing streak, and are 1-10 in their last 11 games. It hasn't mattered if they've faced an easy team like the Memphis Grizzlies or a strong team like the Houston Rockets; they just keep finding ways to lose.
What to Expect
Not too long ago, the LA Clippers completely dominated the Los Angeles Lakers. The Clippers had won 11 straight games in a streak that extended until November 1, 2023. However, those days are over now with the Lakers winning the last four games straight, and already leading the season series 1-0.
Even if the Clippers have both Kawhi Leonard and James Harden available, fans should expect the Lakers to dominate their struggling rival.
If there's one thing Luka Doncic can be expected to do, it's to have a phenomenal game against the LA Clippers.