The Clippers take a three-game skid to Minnesota on Friday with six players on the injury report and a new guard. The Timberwolves will be without Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo and played last night, so this is a game LA can take.
The Wesley signing adds a body but doesn't fix the rotation.
Blake Wesley joined the Clippers on October 29. Shams Charania reported it as a 10-day hardship deal. The same day, Law Murray reported that the club is picking up Niederhauser's third-year option. Wesley is filling a hole left by injuries. Brandon Ingram, Bradley Beal, Max Strus and Niederhauser all carry November 8 return estimates, and the guard Miller's estimate is March 2, 2027. With $188.9M in payroll against a $200.4M tax line, a short-term contract is the cheapest way to cover the gap.
The schedule gives LA a clear rest advantage tonight.
Tonight's Emirates NBA Cup game in Minnesota follows two days off for the Clippers. The Timberwolves played last night and come in at 3-2 after two straight losses. Edwards (right knee) and DiVincenzo (right Achilles) are listed Out. Rui Hachimura moved from Out to day-to-day with his left quad, and his estimated return is today. Next up are Golden State on November 1 and Toronto on November 2.
The Lakers loss showed a frontcourt problem more than a scoring one.
In Wednesday's 103-87 defeat, Brook Lopez was a team-worst minus-21 in 22 minutes. Isaiah Jackson was minus-2 in 19. Lopez's minutes have risen by 8 per game over his last three, so that tradeoff now matters against Rudy Gobert. Darius Garland had five turnovers and five assists. Keaton Wagler scored 21 off the bench on 4-of-15 shooting.
The standings are tight enough that one result moves LA.
At 12th in the West, the Clippers are 0.5 games behind Golden State for 10th and 1.5 behind San Antonio for sixth. The 21-61 pace projection means little after four games. Losing to a tired, short-handed opponent would mean more. The open question is whether Tyronn Lue keeps leaning on Lopez or gives Jackson the Gobert minutes.
Will Rui Hachimura play against the Timberwolves?
He is listed day-to-day with a left quad injury and has an estimated return date of October 30. He was upgraded from Out on October 29.
Is Anthony Edwards playing against the Clippers?
No. Minnesota lists Edwards as Out with a right knee injury, and Donte DiVincenzo is also listed Out.
