The 3-9 Utah Jazz will suit up for the second night in a row as part of a short four-game road trip. They’ll do so against the 6-7 Los Angeles Clippers in their shiny new Intuit Dome. Both teams will be missing a key player for the contest, though the Clippers will find some added depth.
The Clippers will once again be without superstar forward Kawhi Leonard (knee), who has yet to make his season debut. Leonard has battled injuries throughout his exceptional career, and there is no timeline for his return.
On the bright side, it appears the Clippers center Mo Bamba is healthy and ready to make his season debut on Sunday night. The 26-year-old’s return could be a major boost against a Jazz team missing a key player along their front line.
Walker Kessler continues to miss time for the Jazz due to hip bursitis. Reports indicate that Kessler did not travel with the team due to his ongoing rehabilitation from this injury. The third-year center is having a productive season as the team’s starting center.
In his absence, the Jazz started with John Collins and Kyle Filipowski next to Lauri Markkanen on the frontcourt. The trio has performed well together, demonstrating their improved spacing and offensive versatility. The Jazz are 1-2 without Kessler this season.
Although the Jazz have not yet released their official injury report, the Sacramento Kings’ loss on Saturday night did not result in any injuries. Other than Kessler, expect the Jazz to be at full strength.
Even without Leonard, the Clippers maintain a significant lead in the Sunday evening game. That said, the Jazz are winners of three out of their past six games, pointing to improved play from the rebuilding squad.
Clippers Big Man Available To Make Season Debut On Sunday
The Los Angeles Clippers, currently 6-7 and on a three-game losing streak, are expected to see center Mo Bamba make his season debut against the struggling Utah Jazz. Despite missing the first 12 games due to left knee soreness, Bamba showed promise in his recent G League appearance, scoring 13 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. His return comes as the Clippers seek to bounce back, especially with star player Kawhi Leonard still yet to play this season.
By the Numbers
- Kawhi Leonard has not played in any games this season.
- Mo Bamba averaged 7.0 points and 5.5 rebounds over 332 career games.
State of Play
- The Clippers are 6-7 after 13 games, sitting in mid-tier standings.
- Utah Jazz, the upcoming opponent, are last in the Western Conference at 3-9.
- Ivica Zubac, the starting center, has been averaging 34.0 minutes per game.
What’s Next
We expect Bamba to provide a much-needed boost at center, potentially reducing Zubac’s minutes workload. His performance will be crucial in the upcoming games as the Clippers aim to stabilize their season and improve their record. The effectiveness of Bamba in his debut may dictate how the Clippers approach their rotation moving forward.
Conclusion
With Bamba’s debut on the horizon, the Clippers hope to leverage his size and skills to enhance their depth and performance, especially as they navigate a challenging start to the season. His ability to deliver productive minutes could be pivotal in turning around their current losing streak.
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