Rui Hachimura was listed Out on Oct. 27 with a left quadriceps issue, which thins a frontcourt already missing most of its depth. The Clippers host the Lakers tonight at 1-2 and ninth, and this time the schedule favors them.
Hachimura's absence costs the Clippers real minutes.
Hachimura has played 31.2 minutes a night, second on the team, with 10.3 points and 6.0 rebounds. He is projected back Oct. 30. Strus, Konan Niederhauser, Beal and Ingram are all targeted for Nov. 8, and Jordan Miller for March 2. Tyronn Lue is building rotations out of whoever is healthy, and that group got smaller this week.
The schedule gives the Clippers a rare edge tonight.
The Lakers come in on a back-to-back, while the Clippers have had two rest days. Los Angeles is 3-1 behind Luka Doncic at 36.0 points a game and Austin Reaves at 26.5, but Cameron Carr is out with a right oblique and Adou Thiero with a left knee. The Lakers won the Oct. 23 meeting 117-125, so tonight is the first real test of whether rest can make up for missing bodies.
Brook Lopez is carrying more than a 38-year-old center should.
Lopez is scoring 18.0 points in 23.2 minutes and hitting 54.5 percent from three, and his minutes are up 8 a night over the last three games. Darius Garland leads the team at 24.0 points and 7.0 assists, though Clipperholics argued that his turnovers are holding the team back. A 3.2 net rating says the team has played better than its record.
The open question is who soaks up the forward minutes.
Isaiah Jackson has played 22.2 minutes a night and has not made a three. If Lue keeps leaning on Lopez, the Oct. 30 Emirates NBA Cup game at Minnesota comes with tired legs. The Timberwolves sit sixth at 3-1, and the Clippers trail them by 1.5 games.
Is Rui Hachimura playing against the Lakers tonight?
No. He is listed Out with a left quadriceps issue and is projected back Oct. 30.
When are Brandon Ingram and Bradley Beal expected back?
Both are listed Out with an estimated return of Nov. 8. Ingram is out with a right Achilles issue and Beal with a right knee issue.
