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Avery Bradley & Luc Mbah a Moute out for LA Clippers

NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 23: Avery Bradley #11 of the LA Clippers reacts during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on October 23, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 23: Avery Bradley #11 of the LA Clippers reacts during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on October 23, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Both Avery Bradley and Luc Mbah a Moute are listed as out tonight for the LA Clippers as they return home to face the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Per the LA Clippers PR department, both Avery Bradley and Luc Mbah a Moute will sit out tonight’s contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

This marks the first game missed this year for Bradley who is out due to a left ankle sprain. For Mbah a Moute, this will mark the sixth consecutive missed with left knee soreness.

In order to stay on pace with the rest of the Western Conference, the Clippers will need to pick up a win tonight against another likely playoff contender. The defensive absence of both Mbah a Moute and Bradley doesn’t help, but does not leave the team with an insurmountable task. Neither has provided much offense for the team.

Bradley is only averaging 7.1 points on 35% shooting. Both are second lowest only to his rookie year. Mbah a Moute has only put up 5.0 points in his four appearances for the team, but less is expected out of him on that end then Bradley.

Bradley was seen by many as a possible trade piece for Butler. Tonight may have been an opportunity to “showcase” him for coach Tom Thibodeau but alas, that won’t happen.

What this means

On the defensive end, this doesn’t bode well for LA as the Timberwolves announced that All-Star guard Jimmy Butler will be suiting up tonight. Butler has sat out the past couple of games due to “rest”, but many believe this is just the latest ploy on his end to try and be traded.

Without Bradley, rookie Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will get the start. This will be Gilgeous-Alexander’s first regular season start in the NBA. It will also likely mean more minutes for Milos Teodosic. Both will need to be ready for the combination of Butler and Rose (who was also confirmed to be playing tonight.)

Gilgeous-Alexander may have a shot at earning the starting role with a good performance tonight as many fans have called for him to take that role since the beginning of the season.

We’ll be live tweeting the game tonight, so make sure to follow along and check back here for all your post game coverage.