The Los Angeles Clippers are heading north of the border to face the Toronto Raptors on Friday night, but they might be doing so without two of their key contributors. Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac are both listed as questionable, each nursing ankle sprains-Leonard with his right, Zubac with his left. And while the Clippers have been gaining serious momentum lately, their availability could play a major role in whether that continues in Toronto.
Let’s start with Leonard. He’s been nothing short of dominant lately, putting together a stretch of performances that remind everyone exactly why he’s one of the league’s most impactful two-way forces.
He dropped 35 in a recent win over Charlotte and before that, torched the Jazz for a season-high 45 points in a blowout victory. Head coach Tyronn Lue even said Leonard’s been playing at a playoff level-and it’s hard to argue with that.
But now, with that right ankle sprain lingering, there’s a real chance the Clippers opt to give him a night off, especially given the long view of the season. Leonard’s health has always been a storyline, and the team has been cautious in managing his workload. If he sits, it would be a significant blow to a Clippers squad that’s finally found its rhythm.
Then there’s Zubac, who’s quietly been one of the most consistent big men in the Western Conference. Averaging a double-double with 14.8 points and 10.7 rebounds, Zubac has anchored the paint on both ends.
He’s also been the subject of trade chatter recently, but right now, his sprained left ankle is the more immediate concern. Like Leonard, he’s officially questionable, and the Clippers could be forced to adjust their frontcourt rotation if he can’t go.
Their combined impact has been a major reason for the Clippers’ recent surge. Winners of 11 of their last 13 games, including four straight, they’ve climbed their way back into the Western Conference picture.
At 17-23, they’re tied with the Memphis Grizzlies for the 10th spot, right in the thick of the play-in race. But the margin for error is razor-thin, and missing two starters-even for one night-could disrupt that momentum.
As for the broader injury landscape heading into Friday’s matchup, the list is lengthy across both teams. Among those ruled out: Bradley Beal (left hip fracture), Bogdan Bogdanovic (left hamstring), Derrick Jones Jr. (right knee), RJ Barrett (left ankle), Jamison Battle (left ankle), Chris Paul (not with the team), and Jakob Poeltl (lower back). Several others, including John Collins (groin), Immanuel Quickley (back spasms), and Garrett Temple (back spasms), are also questionable.
So while the Clippers-Raptors matchup may not be headlined by full-strength rosters, it’s still a key game for a Clippers team trying to stay hot. Whether Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac suit up could go a long way in determining how this one plays out. As of now, it’s a game-time decision-and the Clippers, like the rest of us, are waiting to see how it shakes out.