The Los Angeles Clippers found their rhythm on Sunday night with a much-needed victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, ending a streak of three consecutive losses. This win brings them closer to the eighth-seeded Golden State Warriors, as they now have 23 games left in the season and an opportunity to decrease the Warriors’ lead to 1.5 games in their upcoming matchup on Monday.
Heading into this pivotal game, the Clippers are enjoying a healthier roster, while the Warriors are grappling with significant absences. Alongside Jimmy Butler, who is out for the season, the Warriors will also be without their star players Steph Curry and Kristaps Porzingis. Rookie Will Richard has been ruled out, and Gary Payton II’s status remains questionable. As a result, the Warriors are expected to field a lineup featuring Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Gui Santos, De’Anthony Melton, and Draymond Green, with Al Horford and Pat Spencer available off the bench. This composition presents a less formidable challenge for the Clippers, despite having to travel to the Bay Area after Sunday’s game.
The matchup comes with added intrigue as star point guard Darius Garland is set to return to the court for the first time in over six weeks due to a toe injury. While he will be eased back into the game and won’t log his usual minutes, his presence could significantly enhance the Clippers’ offense, which has struggled since James Harden’s departure. The need for ball-handling and playmaking has been evident, and Garland’s return could remedy this.
Another boost for the Clippers is their relatively clean injury report, apart from John Collins, who will miss the game due to neck soreness—an issue that has plagued him since a fall against the Lakers on February 20th. Despite dealing with a lingering ankle issue, Kawhi Leonard is expected to take on his usual workload, having played only 29 minutes against the Pelicans and not appearing on the injury report.
With both Leonard and Garland on the court together for the first time, the Clippers are optimistic about securing a vital win against the Warriors, which could be a significant step toward achieving their postseason goals. As the playoffs inch closer, this game presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the Clippers to solidify their position in the standings.