Just days after trading for a former MVP in James Harden, the LA Clippers packed their bags and booked a flight to face the Brooklyn Nets. This was their first showdown of the 2023-24 regular season, and head coach Tyronn Lue was still figuring out how to incorporate Harden into the half-court set.
Furthermore, Brooklyn handed the Clippers their fourth loss of the season and their second consecutive with Harden in the active rotation. Lue had yet to win a game with the all-time great.
In fact, Harden was not competing like his usual self. He finished the game with 12 points, eight boards, five assists, and five turnovers. The two-time champion, Kawhi Leonard, was no better as he posted 17 points on 7-16 shooting.
These two eventually discovered a cadence and led the Clippers to a scary win streak in December.
Brooklyn, among several other teams LA lost to, came back around for their second battle of the season. However, this time, Lue was ready to bounce back with his squad, enforcing every ounce of horsepower possible.
Moreover, the Nets accumulated an 18-point lead before the Clippers dialed in and eliminated what would have been one of their worst losses of the year. Harden soared for a smooth 22 points and ten assists, while Leonard totaled 21 points and four rebounds.
Nonetheless, the film through both of these contests will be crucial for Lue as the Clippers face off with the Nets at Intuit Dome for the first time in 2025.
Is Kawhi Leonard playing against the Brooklyn Nets?
Through an injury update from Joey Linn, an LA Clippers’ beat writer for Sports Illustrated, Kawhi Leonard will be available to play on January 15th, 2025. This is perfect, as the Clippers have lost four out of their last six and need a win as bad as any team in the NBA.
The Clippers have no injuries to report for tomorrow’s game against Brooklyn.
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) January 15, 2025
It’s the front end of a home-road B2B.
Full injury report for LA Clippers vs Brooklyn Nets
The remainder of the Clippers' injury report includes four players ruled out: P.J. Tucker (away from team activities), Trentyn Flowers (two-way contract), Cam Christie (G-League), and Kobe Brown (G-League).
Conversely, the Nets have a lengthier list to report. Center Nicolas Claxton is questionable with right-hamstring tightness. At the same time, Bojan Bogdanovic (injury recovery), Cameron Johnson (right ankle sprain), Maxwell Lewis (left tibia fracture), De’Anthony Melton (ACL recovery), Ben Simmons (lower-back injury management), Trendon Watford (left hamstring strain) and Cam Thomas (left hamstring strain) are all ruled out.