The Los Angeles Clippers will face the Washington Wizards in a matchup tonight which promises to be an intriguing one. The game begins with quite a striking difference between the two teams. While LA lost their past two games, Washington is on an 11-game losing streak. The Clippers hold a 24-19 record, sitting in sixth spot in the Western Conference. On the other hand, the Wizards are struggling at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a 6-36 record.  But a big question tonight will be whether Kawhi Leonard and James Harden will suit up in this back-to-back clash against the Wizards.

The Clippers enter the game with some serious concerns. Staring with Kawhi Leonard, who is ruled out of the game due to a knee injury. And so is James Harden, who’s been dealing with a groin strain. Joining them are Ivica Zubac (eye), and Norman Powell (back). It looks like the entire frontcourt of the Clippers is sidelined. On their backcourt, Nicolas Batum and Kris Dunn remain sidelined as well.

Meanwhile, the injury situation for the Wizards is less serious than LA. The team doesn’t report any injuries on their frontcourt. However, on the backcourt, players like Malcolm Brogdon and Marvin Bagley III have been ruled out due to foot and knee injuries. Even though the Wizards have healthy players with almost a complete roster, they have had their own struggles this season.

What does James Harden’s and Kawhi Leonard’s absence mean for tonight’s game?

In his usual fashion, James Harden has been one of the top players for the Clippers. His season’s averages are 21.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 8.1 assists and a field goal of 39.4%. Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard’s contribution hasn’t been any less in the 5 games he has played this season. He made 13.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game with a field goal percentage of 49.1. Their playmaking has been quite significant for the Clippers, and with their absence, the team will heavily rely on their remaining healthy players.

The Clippers have gone 5-5 over their last 10 matchups, averaging 109.2 points per game. While they still boast a solid defense, ranking 3rd in points allowed (106.9), their offensive struggles without their star duo will be evident. Their shooting percentage has dipped slightly to 46.8%, which is lower than the Wizards’ defensive average of 47.6%.

The Wizards, on the other hand, have been down for the most games of the season. While the 108.1 points might be close to LA’s average, their defense tells a different story, giving up a league-worst 123.4 points per game. Jordan Poole has been carrying much of the load offensively, averaging 21.4 points per game. Kyle Kuzma contributed 14.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.

The Wizards have been less than efficient compared to their opponents in both defensive and scoring ability, which puts them at a clear disadvantage. Even without Leonard and Harden, the Clippers still have a defensive presence. With a 1-18 record on the road, Washington can only hope to end their losing streak tonight.

Depth Charts for tonight’s game

LA Clippers Depth Chart

Washington Wizards Depth Chart

With the Clippers missing several key players, including Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, their ability to compete against a struggling Wizards team is certainly in question. Can the Clippers rise to the occasion, or will Washington take advantage of this opportunity and secure a win? Only time will tell, but this game promises to be a critical one.