The LA Clippers are on a roll! Since their loss to the Suns, they’ve won 10 of their last 12 games, and last night against the Brooklyn Nets? After taking control in the second quarter by outscoring the Nets 42-21, they maintained momentum in the third, achieving another 37-21 run, with Kawhi Leonard scoring 31 by the end of the game. They cruised to victory with 132-100.

But now, the concern is shifting to the playoffs. The Clippers currently hold the 6th seed in the Western Conference, but their spot is far from secure. They’re tied with 42-31 with the Warriors, with Timberwolves just behind their back with 42-32. With just nine games left, every matchup is crucial as the Clippers fight to lock in their postseason ticket.

Tonight, the Clippers are heading to face off against the number 1 seed of the Eastern Conference. No biggie! They’ve already defeated them once this month; they’ll be able to do it again, right? Well, there’s one problem – they have to do it without Kawhi Leonard..

LA Clippers Injuries Report 

Kawhi Leonard, one of the league’s most impactful players and the Clippers’ primary small forward, will miss Sunday’s game against the Cavaliers. He has averaged 20.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists across 30 games this season. In his previous matchup against the Cavs, Leonard led the Clippers to a 132-119 victory by dropping 33 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals. 

As the Clippers gear up for back-to-back games, fans are voicing concerns over this decision. One frustrated fan said, “The Clippers should’ve done the opposite and let him play against the Cavs since I strongly feel they could win against the Magic without Kawhi.” Their concerns are valid – the Clippers have a 23-20 record without Leonard, but what about with Kawhi? 19-11, 1.7:1 winning ratio compared to  1.1:1 without him  . With the playoff race heating up, Clippers fans are desperate for the team to maximize every opportunity.

Apart from Kawhi Leonard, Jordan Miller is also out for Sunday’s game, while Seth Lundy is listed as GTD (Game-time decision), with his status to be decided closer to tip-off. With these absences, the Clippers face a challenging situation moving forward. The lineup for tonight remains uncertain.

LA Clippers vs Cleveland Cavaliers Depth Chart

Now that Kawhi Leonard and Jordan Miller are out, the Clippers will have to adjust their rotation for Sunday’s game against the Cavaliers. Despite these absences, Tyronn Lue still has enough depth to put together a solid lineup. So, here’s who we think Lue might go with for the matchup against Cleveland

As for the Cavaliers’ squad? I mean, just look at their lineup—Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen—all healthy and ready to go. With the Cavaliers at full strength – except for backup PG Ty Jerome – the Clippers face an uphill battle.

Championship teams find ways to win even when the odds are stacked against them. If the Clippers want to prove they’re real contenders, tonight is the night to do it. No Kawhi? No excuses. As long as the refs are on their side, at least. This is the kind of game that tests a team’s identity, resilience, and ability to step up in the biggest moments.

Will the Clippers rise to the occasion, or will the Cavs expose a fatal flaw?