Clippers and Grizzlies Brace for a Battle of Short-Handed Survivors
This matchup between the Clippers and Grizzlies is shaping up to be one of those nights where both teams walk in wounded but still ready to throw punches. And honestly, that’s what makes this game so intriguing. It’s less about who’s perfectly built for a late-season push and more about which team can survive the chaos of injuries, inconsistency, and a brutal Western Conference schedule.
The Clippers finally snapped their five-game skid earlier this week with a win in Atlanta, but that victory came with a bit of an asterisk. The Hawks were missing several key players, including Trae Young and Kristaps Porzingis, so while the win was needed, it wasn’t exactly a statement. And now Los Angeles heads into Memphis for the first half of a tough back-to-back that continues in Minnesota the very next night. If ever there was a time for the Clippers to show some resilience, it’s right now.
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In terms of availability, the Clippers are still extremely short-handed. Bogdan Bogdanovic remains out with a persistent hip issue, Derrick Jones Jr. and Bradley Beal are sidelined, and Chris Paul has already been sent home from the road trip. That leaves the backcourt looking thin again, meaning two-way guards Kobe Sanders and new arrival RayJ Dennis will be asked to take on more responsibility. Jordan Miller might be back, but he’s still questionable. The good news—maybe the best news—Kawhi Leonard is fully expected to play, even on both ends of this back-to-back.
But Memphis isn’t exactly arriving at the arena with a full roster either. Ja Morant remains out with a calf injury, and guards Ty Jerome and Scotty Pippen Jr. still haven’t made their season debuts. That leaves the primary ball-handling duties to Vince Williams Jr. and Cam Spencer—players who weren’t expected to be lead initiators but have stepped into the role admirably. And somehow, despite all the setbacks, the Grizzlies have turned their season around, winning five of their last seven. A major part of that resurgence has come from second-year big man Zach Edey, who is in the middle of a breakout stretch. His matchup with Ivica Zubac should be one of the most compelling one-on-one battles of the night.
For the Clippers, this game feels like a must-take moment. They’re about to hit a stretch loaded with playoff-caliber opponents—Rockets, Thunder, Lakers, and more Grizzlies—so grabbing a win here would go a long way in restoring some confidence. Memphis, meanwhile, is fighting to stay relevant in the play-in race and has been playing some of their best basketball lately.
So even though both teams are banged up, the stakes are real. It’s a test of depth, grit, and who can make the most out of whatever bodies they have left on the floor.
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