Clippers vs. Lakers Preview: First Road Game of 2027 Season

The Los Angeles Clippers face the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena in their first road contest of the season. Both teams enter the matchup following opening victories, with the Clippers having defeated the Sacramento Kings and the Lakers routing the Golden State Warriors. The Clippers are scheduled to start Darius Garland, Kris Dunn, Derrick Jones Jr., Rui Hachimura, and Isaiah Jackson, while the Lakers counter with Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams, and Walker Kessler.

The Clippers enter the rivalry game managing multiple injuries, as Brandon Ingram, Max Strus, Bradley Beal, Jordan Miller, and Yanic Konan Niederhauser are all ruled out. Meanwhile, the Lakers have Collin Sexton listed as doubtful, with Jake LaRavia, Cam Carr, and Adou Thiero questionable. Writer Robert Flom highlights that the Clippers will need stronger offensive production from Hachimura to compete against the remade Lakers squad led by Doncic and Reaves.