The Los Angeles Clippers are in the middle of a rough patch, and head coach Tyronn Lue is looking for answers-and maybe a few healthy bodies.
On Saturday, Lue made the call to cancel practice ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies. Instead of hitting the court, the team shifted gears and focused on film study, a move Lue said was driven by player availability.
“Nicolas Batum had to go home sick. We had a couple of guys who weren't going to be able to practice today,” Lue explained.
“So, I thought our film session was really good. I thought our guys understood what we're looking for, what we're talking about.
Then, tomorrow we'll be able to go live-hopefully, we'll get a few bodies back.”
That’s the reality right now for the Clippers, who are trying to regroup after a tough 115-113 loss to the Houston Rockets on Thursday. It was their third straight defeat and their eighth in the last nine games. Injuries and inconsistency have made it hard to build momentum, and Lue’s decision to prioritize mental reps over physical ones speaks to the team’s current state.
When asked which players were unavailable, Lue kept it tight. “I can’t say anything.
I don’t think I can say that,” he said, choosing not to disclose names. Still, the message was clear: the Clippers are banged up, and the coaching staff is adjusting on the fly.
Saturday’s film session wasn’t just about filling time-it was about trying to reset a team that’s been out of rhythm. With key players in and out of the lineup, continuity has been hard to come by. Lue’s hope is that a focused session in the film room can help sharpen execution and reinforce the game plan ahead of Sunday’s contest.
Meanwhile, there’s noise off the court, too.
According to a recent report, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer’s unwavering support of Kawhi Leonard is becoming a point of contention within the organization. The report suggests that Ballmer’s loyalty to Leonard-even amid ongoing scrutiny and distractions-may be hindering the team’s ability to evolve.
“I don’t see it because, Steve Ballmer, man, he has just got this, inexplicable, in my opinion, borderline insane addiction to this group,” said one insider. “The level of scrutiny and distraction that has come from that partnership with Kawhi has been so problematic. But Steve has never wavered in his loyalty and continues to barrel down that road.”
Whether or not that dynamic is affecting the locker room, what’s clear is that the Clippers are stuck in a rut. And with the season pushing forward, the margin for error is shrinking.
The Clippers canceled practice today and just did film.
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) December 13, 2025
Ty Lue said the decision was because certain players couldn’t practice, but he wouldn’t say who.
“I can’t say. I don’t think I can say that.” pic.twitter.com/B7tw5RZI87
Sunday’s game against the Grizzlies offers a chance to stop the bleeding. But for that to happen, the Clippers will need more than a good film session-they’ll need bodies, execution, and a spark to get back on track.