The balloon has already popped! The energy Steve Ballmer screamed for from the LA Clippers fans has done nothing, changed little and for the worse. This season was supposed to be special for the Clips as they moved into their new home, the Intuit Dome, after years of being in the shadow of the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. But at Intuit, they are already 0-4 and there is no sign of that slump ending. The home court has turned into a horror for the Clippers in the Halloween season, but this time, on the fifth attempt, they just might get the candy they want against the Spurs on Monday.

While the Clippers have faced back-to-back setbacks, the Spurs are on a mission to extend their winning streak after securing two consecutive victories. This makes the matchup between the two Western teams even more interesting, with the Clippers looking to bounce back (2-4) and the Spurs (3-3) eager to maintain their momentum. So, let’s look at who might miss this compelling battle due to injuries on both teams.

Clippers’ injury report

One of the key reasons for the LA franchise’s early struggles this season is the absence of Kawhi Leonard, who has long been responsible for carrying the team. Kawhi is on the injury list due to inflammation in his right knee even before the regular season started. The two-time All-Star is currently undergoing rehabilitation and will be absent from the roster for an unknown period.

Mo Bamba has also been ruled out for Monday’s game, according to Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal. The 7-foot center is dealing with left knee soreness, which has restricted him from participating in this regular season so far. Meanwhile, the Clippers have already announced that PJ Tucker will not continue with the team for some personal reasons.

Spurs’ injury report

Fortunately for Spurs fans, most of their key players are healthy. However, swingman Devin Vassell faces another tough season ahead. After undergoing surgery on his right foot last season, he has yet to appear this season. Tre Jones will also not join the team because of his ankle injury which sidelined him for a minimum of two weeks. This provides a clear image of their possible roster choice.

Clippers vs Spurs: Depth Chart and Head-to-Head Records

Despite the Clippers’ struggling phase, one name that stood out was James Harden. With an impressive average of 21.8 points per game and 10.8 assists, the combo guard has become a force to reckon with, making him a must-have in the starting lineup. Joining him on the back-court could be Norman Powell. According to ESPN, Terance Mann and Derrick Jones Jr. will continue their partnership on the offensive side, while Ivica Zubac is expected to look after both ends from the center position. Kris Dunn could also be spotted switching places with Powell or Mann.

Chris Paul could be starting against his former team. After all, the 6-footer guard’s 20th season is going smoothly. The Spurs have multiple options, including Julian Champagnie, Malaki Branham, and Stephon Castle, who could fill in for Devin Vassell. Harrison Barnes and Jeremy Sochan are strong choices for managing the offense. Meanwhile, the French powerhouse Victor Wembanyama will be a threat to the already weak Clippers, and the Spurs will look to utilize him from the start of the game.

Historically, the San Antonio Spurs have had a strong hold over the Clippers, winning more than twice as many regular season games (132-55). However, the last two seasons have not reflected that supremacy at all. The teams have met seven times in the last two seasons, where the Spurs couldn’t secure even a single win. So, they would definitely try to turn the tables this season.

The Spurs have a relatively better offense and one can hardly raise any questions about their defense when Victor Wembanyama stands tall there. Whereas, the Clippers struggle in both areas. Turnovers are another factor that has weakened the Los Angeles team, and Wemby and Co. will likely look to exploit this on November 4. Both teams have below-average shooting skills from beyond the arc, but the Spurs excel at rebounding, so the Clippers should keep that in mind when working out their strategy. So, tune in at 10:30 PM ET tonight to find out whether the Spurs can break their 0-7 curse or the Clippers will have a Halloween scare from Victor Wembanyama.