Is this the season in which the Los Angeles Clippers will finally put everything together and make a championship run? Unless things go incredibly wrong, LA will be a playoff team. At this point, however, that simply isn't good enough. The Clippers have displayed the ability to play a competitive brand of basketball -- they just haven't taken care of business in the postseason itself. The 2025-26 Clippers feature a championship-caliber ceiling, but there is one obvious weakness that cannot be ignored.
The Clippers players' injury history is something that could prove to be problematic. It's also an older roster with some veterans past their prime. The age isn't even too much of an issue when discussing the specific 2025-26 outlook. However, the injury history is the biggest weakness on this roster.
Kawhi Leonard, who is probably the best player on this team when fully healthy, has endured no shortage of injury concerns over the years. Since joining LA ahead of the 2019-20 campaign, Leonard has appeared in 60 or more games in only one season. In 2024-25, Leonard was limited to only 37 games played.
LA added Bradley Beal and John Collins this year. Beal only played in 53 contests a season ago and has not appeared in 60 games since 2020-21. Meanwhile, Collins only appeared in 40 games last year.
There are players who have been able to stay relatively healthy for the most part. James Harden missed only three games last year and Chris Paul managed to play in all 82 contests at 39 years old. Ivica Zubac appeared in 80 games as well.
Still, the Clippers' inability to stay healthy overall has been the problem over the years. It may seem like an over-discussed talking point -- but it's absolutely worth mentioning when breaking down the team. Los Angeles unquestionably features the talent and potential to seriously compete in the deep Western Conference. Every team battles injuries, but the issue has been especially troublesome for the Clippers.
It begins with Leonard. If Kawhi can reach that 60 or more games mark in 2025-26, Los Angeles will likely be in good shape. Leonard is still a top 10 player in the league when he's on the floor. If Beal and Collins can also avoid too much injury trouble, the Clippers will become especially dangerous.
As long as injuries don't stand in the way, this squad may be on the verge of an incredible 2025-26 NBA season.