Lakers (12–4) at Clippers (5–12) | Game 17 of 82

Where to Watch and What Time

📅 Date: Tuesday, Nov. 25

 ⏰ Tip-off: 8:00 p.m. PST 

📍 Location: Crypto.com Arena — Los Angeles, Calif

📺 TV: Peacock, NBC, Spectrum SportsNet

📻 Radio: ESPN LA 710 / 1330 KWKW

Game Preview

This will be the Lakers’ third NBA Cup game in the first cross-town rival matchup of the season. The Lakers sit with a 12-4 record (fourth in the West) and 2-0 in Cup games. The Clippers are also 2-0 in Cup games but are in second place in the West: Group B.

The Lakers lead Group B because of point differential and with a win over the Clippers, they can clinch it and advance.

The Clippers have had a disappointing start to the season with a 5-12 record. Injuries have plagued the oldest team in the NBA, with Kawhi Leonard missing nine of the Clippers’ 16 games this season and Bradley Beal suffering a season-ending hip injury that will require surgery.

The Lakers have won three straight at home and are 4-2 at Crypto.com Arena this season. They have won four straight and look to extend that in great position with their next four games at home. 

The Clippers, who have lost nine of their last 11 games, are 2-7 on the road this season and look to snap three straight losses to the Lakers dating back to last season.

The Opponents’ Leaders

James Harden has been the man amongst the Clippers’ disastrous start with consistent all-star showings. In the Clippers’ win over Charlotte on Saturday, flashes of Houston MVP Harden flashed with a 35-point first half, ending the game with 55 points on 61% shooting and 10 made 3s.

Leonard made his return to the lineup in the Clippers’ loss on Sunday to Cleveland, scoring 20 points in 26 minutes. Like LeBron James, Leonard is working his way back into game shape from injury. He scored 20 or more points in five of his seven games played this season, averaging 23.7 points.

Injury Report

Lakers:

Deandre Ayton suffered a right knee injury in the Lakers’ 108-106 win over Utah and didn’t return. He will miss his second game of the season against the Clippers, a game they’ll miss him in with Ivica Zubac coming off his best game of the season: 33 points and 17 rebounds.

• Deandre Ayton (knee contusion): Out

Clippers:

• Jordan Miller (hamstring): Out

• Bogdan Bogdanovic (hip: Questionable

What to Watch

Dončić Shooting Slump:

Luka Dončić will look to bounce back from his shooting struggles, going five-and-22 (22.7%) from 3 in the last two games. Despite his woes he’s still putting up the highest average score at 34.5 points a game, which is still scary.

Lakers Woes From 3

The Lakers have been one of the worst shooting teams in the league this season and coach JJ Redick agrees. They are 25th in 3-point percentage this season at a 33.3% average from deep per game. To add to that, they also average the low made 3s a game at dead last at 10.9 per contest.

“I told the guys this after the game: We’re literally one of the worst shooting teams in the NBA right now. I don’t think that’s who we are. We’ve gotta make shots and we’ve gotta shoot ’em with confidence,” Redick said after Sunday’s win in Utah.

Zubac vs. Lakers Bigs

The Lakers’ backup bigs and forwards will have a challenging task against Zu, who always plays with extra juice against the team that drafted him and then traded him. 

Threads for the Game

The Lakers will rock their purple Statement Edition threads at home, while the Clippers will wear their white Association unis.

Next Matchup

The Lakers continue their next three games at home, with Dallas up next on Friday. They follow that up with Phoenix on Sunday and then the Pelicans on Monday for L.A.’s third back-to-back set this season.