The Los Angeles Clippers will go in search of their first victory of the 2024-25 NBA pre-season campaign when they lock horns against the Brooklyn Nets at the Frontwave Arena on Wednesday.
The Nets, on the other hand, head to California for their pre-season curtain-raiser and will be looking to get the ball rolling on a winning note.
Match preview
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Taking to the court for the first time since their 99-98 defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies in the semi-final of the NBA Summer League, the Clippers were on the wrong end of yet another narrow contest, losing 91-90 to the Golden State Warriors.
They led by four heading into the final 150 seconds before a pair of three-pointers from Lindy Waters—including a buzzer-beating gamewinner—completed a sensational comeback.
Tyronn Lue's men will now shift their focus to Wednesday's outing against a Nets side they most recently beat 87-78 in last month's Summer League encounter at Thomas & Mack Center.
Following the departure of Paul George to the Philadelphia 76ers, the Clippers head into the upcoming season largely reliant on Kawhi Leonard, who will be desperate for an injury-free campaign having suffered multiple setbacks over the last few years.
The Clippers kick off their NBA season with a meeting against the Phoenix Suns on October 24 and will be looking to get up to full speed in their remaining four warm-up encounters.
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Off the back of a disappointing campaign that saw them miss out on the playoffs for the first time in six years, the Brooklyn Nets have undergone yet another managerial change after Jordi Fernandez took the reins.
Replacing Kevin Ollie, Fernandez, 41, will be the Nets' fifth different head coach since the start of the decade as he prepares for his debut year at the helm of affairs.
The Spaniard has been tasked with leading the Nets through a rebuilding phase as they look to get themselves back to playoff contention after the exit of Mikal Bridges across town to the New York Knicks.
A 3-2 record over five Summer League involvements certainly offers some encouragement for the Nets, who managed just one victory from their final four matches last season.
Ahead of their season opener against the Atlanta Hawks, the Nets have four pre-season clashes to navigate, with games against the Washington Wizards, Philadelphia 76ers and the Toronto Raptors to come after Wednesday's duel against the Clippers.
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Team News
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Kawhi Leonard is not expected to feature for the Clippers as he continues to have his workload managed, having only just returned from a knee inflammation that saw him miss the Paris Olympics.
Forward P.J. Tucker is also unavailable for this one as discussions over his future continue, with the 39-year-old expected to leave due to limited game time.
New arrival Mo Bamba is currently in training camp but will have to wait a little longer for his first outing as a Clipper due to a knee injury.
Center Nic Claxton is ruled out for the Nets with a sore hamstring and is expected to feature in a limited capacity throughout pre-season, while Bojan Bogdanovic misses out with a foot problem.
Day'Ron Sharpe, who played back-up to Claxton last season, could also be unavailable on Wednesday after he and Trendon Watford were listed as questionable with hamstring injuries.
However, Dorian Finney-Smith is back in contention after missing each of his side's final five games of the last campaign with a knee problem.
Los Angeles Clippers possible starting five:
Harden, Powell; Jones Jr., Dunn; Zubac
Brooklyn Nets possible starting five:
Schroder, Thomas; Finney-Smith, Simmons; Clowney
We say: Clippers to win by 6+ points
The absence of Nic Claxton represents a massive blow for the Nets, who will be without one of the league's best defenders.
We can see the Harden-led Clippers taking full advantage and coming away with a victory when all is said and done here.
Adepoju Marvellous
