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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

The Los Angeles Clippers (8-10) will welcome the Golden State Warriors (9-10) tonight at Crpyto.com Arena after suffering a setback by the same team during their most recent on-the-road loss. Despite fielding a fairly healthy roster, the Clippers failed to overpower the Warriors, who entered the contest shorthanded in the absence of Chris Paul, Andrew Wiggins, and Gary Payton II. This win was a much-needed confidence boost for the Warriors, who were coming off a humiliating loss to the Sacramento Kings, where they blew up a 24-point lead. Therefore, the Warriors will be looking to build on their one-game winning streak and snap their three-game road losing streak when they meet the Clippers tonight.

In their last matchup, seven players from the Warriors’ side scored in double digits, headlined by the Splash Brothers. Klay Thompson appeared to be back in form, contributing 22 points behind Stephen Curry’s 26 points. Looking at the Warriors’ improved form, the Clippers need to pull up with their A-game tonight if they want to win the contest. As LA gears up to avenge the last game’s loss, will their newest member, James Harden, suit up tonight to help the team past the Warriors?

Is James Harden playing tonight?

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The James Harden era in Los Angeles has not fared as well as one would’ve expected. Ever since the trade materialized, it was deemed a blockbuster deal since the Clippers had finally found their missing piece. After Wednesday’s 131-117 win against the Sacramento Kings, the Clippers appeared to have overcome their early-season struggles. However, they failed to build on that momentum. In the team’s loss to the Dubs, The Beard mustered up 18 points on 6-of-13 from the field and 5-of-10 from beyond the arc to go along with three rebounds and seven assists. There is no mention of him on the injury report (as of the time of writing), so it’s highly probable that he will suit up for tonight’s rematch against the Warriors.

USA Today via Reuters

The Clippers have only two players listed on the injury report. Brandon Boston Jr. is expected to miss some time off the court as he tends to his quadriceps injury. Mason Plumlee is recovering from a serious MCL sprain and is expected to make a comeback by mid-January.

Golden State Warriors injury report

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The Warriors, on the other hand, are monitoring four players on the injury report. Andrew Wiggins, who was sidelined at the last minute on Thursday, has been upgraded to day-to-day. Wiggins was a last-minute scratch due to swollen fingers after the forward slammed the car door on his shooting hand. The Warriors will also be without Chris Paul, who will sit out his second straight game due to a lower left leg contusion.

Read More: “Everybody Hated Me”: Crumbling Under Pressure, Ex-Clippers Star’s 1 Decision Once Drove Him Towards NBA Exit

Gary Payton II is also sidelined tonight after he injured his calf against the Sacramento Kings. An MRI scan later revealed that Payton suffered a strain in his right calf and was expected to miss a week. The Warriors will also miss the services of Usman Garuba, as he is currently nursing a dislocated right finger.

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Who do you think will emerge victorious tonight? Let us know in the comments!

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