Two teams battling for consistency meet tonight in Memphis, but both the Clippers and Grizzlies are navigating lengthy injury lists. Health will be a major factor as Los Angeles looks to build on a recent win against the Grizzlies.
Are Kawhi Leonard, James Harden Playing Tonight? Latest Injury Report Clippers
Kawhi Leonard is expected to play for the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. The star forward is not listed on the team’s injury report, scoring 39 points in the first matchup against Memphis last week and averaging 25.9 points per game this season. James Harden is also available, leading the Clippers with 26.9 points and 8.4 assists per contest; he had 27 points and nine assists in Wednesday’s win over Atlanta. Guard Jordan Miller is listed as questionable due to back soreness, having missed the previous game against the Hawks with the same issue. Bogdan Bogdanovic is out with a left hip contusion (eighth consecutive game missed), and forward Derrick Jones Jr. remains out with a right knee sprain. Bradley Beal is out for the season after left hip surgery, and veteran guard Chris Paul is not with the team after the organization’s decision to part ways with him.
Are Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. Playing Tonight? Latest Injury Report Grizzlies
Ja Morant will not play for the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, sidelined with a right calf strain suffered against Cleveland on November 15. Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo says Morant is “day to day,” but not ready to return. He’s averaging 17.9 points and 7.6 assists this season (5-5 record in the ten games he’s missed). Jaren Jackson Jr. is on the injury report and expected to play, leading the team with 17.8 points per game. Multiple guards are sidelined: Ty Jerome is out with a right calf strain, Scotty Pippen Jr. is recovering from toe surgery, and Javon Small is out with left toe soreness. Forward Brandon Clarke is out with a right knee injury (expected six to nine weeks).
Clippers vs Grizzlies Predicted Starting Lineups
Here’s the projected starting lineups based on the latest injury reports:
| Los Angeles Clippers | Memphis Grizzlies |
|—|—|
| PG: James Harden | PG: Vince Williams Jr. |
| SG: Kris Dunn | SG: Cedric Coward |
| SF: Kawhi Leonard | SF: Jaylen Wells |
| PF: John Collins | PF: Jaren Jackson Jr. |
| C: Ivica Zubac | C: Zach Edey |
Ivica Zubac is averaging a double-double (16.2 points and 11.8 rebounds). He will have a major battle inside with Grizzlies center Zach Edey, who’s averaging 14.2 points and 11.6 rebounds since returning from his own injury, highlighted by 19 rebounds in last week’s win over the Clippers. With Morant out, Vince Williams Jr. will continue as the primary ball handler, averaging 9.0 points and 8.3 assists as a starter.