The Phoenix Suns are set to face the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, with both teams missing key players. The Clippers will be without superstars Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, with Leonard ruled out due to right knee inflammation, marking his fifth consecutive missed game, while Harden is sidelined with right foot inflammation.
Additionally, Phoenix center Jusuf Nurkic is also out due to a right ankle sprain, although the rest of the Suns’ injury report, apart from Damion Lee’s absence due to meniscus injury, is clear. Drew Eubanks will step in to start in Nurkic’s place.
Russell Westbrook will fill in for Harden.
The Western Conference rivals are set to face each other again on Wednesday in Los Angeles, with just four games remaining in the regular season for both teams.
Leonard, an All-Star this season, has been a significant presence for the Clippers, averaging 23.7 points on 52.5% shooting (41.7% from deep) and 6.1 rebounds. The Clippers have maintained a 6-4 record without him.
Harden, known for his double-double performances, had notable contributions against the Suns earlier this year, averaging 16.7 points and 8.6 assists this season.
Nurkic’s status for Wednesday’s game is uncertain after he played through calf soreness in Friday’s victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves and appeared to roll his ankle in Sunday’s loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Clippers currently hold the Western Conference’s No. 4 seed with a record of 50-28, maintaining a four-game lead over the No. 6 seed Phoenix Suns, who hold a record of 46-32.
While there is a slim possibility of a first-round playoff rematch between the two teams, the Suns are currently two games behind the Dallas Mavericks for the fifth seed, while the Clippers trail the Oklahoma City Thunder by three games for the third seed.
