The LA Clippers, once the hottest team in the NBA, faced a surprising setback against the Sacramento Kings, who hold the league's worst record. Riding high on a streak where they clawed back from being 15 games under .500, the Clippers were poised to continue their ascent.
But the Kings had other plans, handing the Clippers a 118-109 defeat. Despite a brief rally in the fourth quarter, the Clippers never truly found their rhythm, especially after Kawhi Leonard exited with a left ankle sprain, adding to his earlier laceration woes.
Leonard's absence was felt in the subsequent matchup against the San Antonio Spurs, a game that slipped away despite the Clippers' early 18-point lead. This loss was compounded by Bennedict Mathurin's toe injury, sidelining him for the road trip and potentially longer.
Clippers now in a 3 way tie for the 8th seed. Injuries hit at the worst time, as they've now lost 4 games in a row (including 3 to the worst teams in the league).
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) March 20, 2026
LA has lost all the momentum they had and were unable to make up any ground on the Suns, who have also lost 4 games… pic.twitter.com/qjZXrDvSCk
The Clippers' trip to New Orleans was a chance to gain ground in the Western Conference standings. However, the Pelicans proved a tough opponent, continuing their historical trend of troubling the Clippers. Even with Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland in the lineup for one of the games, the Clippers couldn't secure a win.
This stretch of games was crucial, as the Clippers were looking to climb out of the play-in tournament zone. Sitting at 34-32 before facing the Kings, they were just a few games behind the seventh-seeded Phoenix Suns and the Denver Nuggets. The Clippers' schedule appeared favorable, especially with the Suns embarking on a challenging road trip.
However, with a four-game losing streak now in tow, the Clippers find themselves in a tight race with the Golden State Warriors and Portland Trail Blazers, both nipping at their heels. The Clippers' remaining schedule, featuring matchups against the Dallas Mavericks and Milwaukee Bucks, is one of the league's easiest. Yet, the season's outcome may hinge on three pivotal games against the Blazers and Warriors.
Currently, the Clippers, Blazers, and Warriors are tied with 36 losses each. Injuries are a concern across the board, with the Clippers missing Leonard and Mathurin, the Blazers without Shaedon Sharpe, and the Warriors missing Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler.
The Clippers hold a 2-1 series lead over the Warriors, with a decisive game looming on the season's final day. Last year, a similar scenario determined playoff seeding between these teams. Against the Trail Blazers, the Clippers lead 2-0 in their series, with two crucial matchups remaining.
As the season winds down, the Clippers' injury management and performance in these key games will be critical. With the Blazers gaining momentum and the Warriors potentially welcoming back Curry, the battle for play-in positioning promises to be intense.