The Clippers begin the 2026-27 season on October 21 against the Kings, then play at the Lakers on October 23 and at the Thunder on October 25. Max Strus, Brandon Ingram, Niederhauser and Bradley Beal are all out and not expected back until November 8, while Jordan Miller remains out until March 1.
The schedule front-loads two road games against measuring-stick opponents.
The Clippers host the Kings in their regular-season opener on October 21, then fly out to play the Lakers on October 23 and the Thunder on October 25. Two of the three games are away from Inglewood, and the trip comes with only a day between stops. The team closed the preseason 2-1, beating the Warriors 104-101 on October 4 and the Nuggets 122-110 on October 14, with a loss at the Raptors in between.
The Lakers game is the one worth circling.
October 23 is the first meeting of the season between the crosstown rivals, and it lands on the road four days into the schedule, with four regulars already sidelined. The teams meet again at home on October 28, giving the week's result an immediate rematch to answer for.
Four regulars share the same target date to return.
Max Strus, Brandon Ingram, Niederhauser and Bradley Beal are all out, with Niederhauser's absence, a right foot and leg issue, confirmed October 16. None of the four is projected to play before November 8. Jordan Miller, recovering from a shoulder injury, is not expected to return until March 1, keeping the bench thin for the length of this trip.
The roster kept turning over into the opener.
Cam Christie and Nathan Mensah joined the team on October 17, the same day Blake Wesley and three others were cut. Kobe Sanders and Kris Dunn were both cleared from day-to-day status that day as well, giving Tyronn Lue a little more depth to work with heading into a week that offers no easy nights.
Who is out for the Clippers heading into the week?
Max Strus, Brandon Ingram, Niederhauser and Bradley Beal are out and not expected back until November 8. Jordan Miller is out until March 1 with a shoulder injury.
What is the Clippers' toughest game this week?
The October 23 game at the Lakers is the week's marquee matchup, the first meeting of the season between the crosstown rivals and the first test with four regulars out.
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