After getting past the Utah Jazz by eight points in a shootout on Thursday, the Los Angeles Lakers will return home to play the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday in what will technically be a road game for them.
The Clippers were expected by people in the national media to be a strong playoff team this season. But instead, they have struggled mightily and fallen to a 6-21 record, which is tied for the second-worst record in the Western Conference. Yet, they are a team the Lakers cannot take lightly, especially since Kawhi Leonard is healthy enough to play.
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The Purple and Gold will continue to be short-handed when they take on the Clippers. Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton will be out again due to a calf strain and elbow soreness, respectively, while guard Gabe Vincent also won’t play. In addition, starting forward Rui Hachimura is listed as questionable due to groin soreness.
All these absences should open up a little bit of playing time for young prospects such as rookie forward Adou Thiero. Thiero got three minutes of playing time on Thursday, and coach JJ Redick said recently that he will “look for opportunities” to get Thiero some playing time.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers release injury report for Saturday’s game versus Clippers