After traveling to four different cities via airplane, the LA Clippers have flown back into Intuit Dome to play the New Orleans Pelicans tonight at 7:30(PST). The Pelicans will battle the Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers before meeting the Milwaukee Bucks at Smoothie King Center.
Furthermore, momentum is blooming for the Clippers after going 3-1 on the road. One of these wins took place in a gritty manner against the Orlando Magic, as they switched from position to position on defense, rotated correctly from double teams, and stole the ball with incredible anticipation.
Star big man Ivica Zubac destructed a formidable defensive system at Orlando with 18 points, 20 rebounds, and five assists, on 70% efficiency from the floor in 38 minutes. Head coach Jamahl Mosley was unresponsive in guarding Zubac, as he overfilled the box scores on a group of guys who make a living off locking down.
Premiere scorer Norman Powell scored around his averages against the Magic, using Zubac as a screener to find open lanes. This paved Powells' 21 points in 34 minutes on eight-made shots.
Though superstar Kawhi Leonard was shooting offline in almost 40 minutes, James Harden covered up the miscues with 20 points, five assists, and seven steals.
Moreover, the role guys like Kris Dunn, Nicolas Batum, and Derrick Jones Jr. had all-star Paolo Banchero clamped. He did score 26, but that came with seven turnovers, 8-23 on shot attempts and a +/- of -5.
In the same way, the Pelicans are also traveling from a win, as they prevailed over the Charlotte Hornets, 98-94. They were commanded by veteran Kelly Olynk, who recorded 13 points and six rebounds.
New Orleans' scoring leaders were Keion Brooks Jr. and Antonio Reaves, who each pitched in over 15 points while shooting over 50%.
Are Kawhi Leonard and Zion Williamson playing on April 2nd, 2025?
Kawhi Leonard is starting for the LA Clippers, but Zion Williamson(lower back) is out for the year as the New Orleans Pelicans shut him down after 30 games played.
Injury report for New Orleans Pelicans at LA Clippers
Amir Coffey(left knee soreness) and Jordan Miller(left hamstring tendinopathy) are listed on the LA Clippers' section of the NBA's official injury report. They are both out.
The New Orleans Pelicans have most of their rotation unavailable. Dejounte Murray(right Achilles), Trey Murphy III(right shoulder), CJ McCollum(right foot), Herbert Jones(right shoulder), Jordan Hawkins(lower back), and Brandon Boston Jr.(left ankle) are out.