The Los Angeles Clippers are set to face the Sacramento Kings on Friday night at the Golden 1 Center, but their injury report lists two key players as questionable: Norman Powell with right shoulder soreness and Ivica Zubac nursing a right ankle sprain. Their availability will be a significant factor for the Clippers as they navigate crucial playoff seeding implications.
Powell was absent from Wednesday’s 134-117 victory over the Houston Rockets due to his shoulder issue. Zubac, despite playing 35 minutes in that win and recording an impressive 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists on efficient 9-of-13 shooting, subsequently appeared on the injury report.
Los Angeles Clippers: Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac’s injury status vs. Kings
The “questionable” designation suggests that both players are managing their respective injuries but still have a chance to suit up against the Kings. Both Powell and Zubac have emerged as pivotal contributors for the Clippers this season. Powell has effectively stepped up to replace some of Paul George’s offensive output, averaging 22.1 points per game with strong shooting splits of 49/42/81. Notably, he is one of only four players in the league averaging over 20 points with that level of efficiency or better, alongside Kevin Durant, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Zach LaVine.
Zubac has also blossomed into a significant two-way presence for Los Angeles, posting career-high averages across the board with 16.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting an impressive 62.6 percent from the field. He stands alongside Nikola Jokic and Domantas Sabonis as the only NBA players averaging over 16 points and 12 rebounds on 55 percent shooting or better.
Adding to the Clippers’ injury concerns, Nicolas Batum will be sidelined for the Kings matchup due to a right groin strain.
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Friday’s game carries substantial weight in the Western Conference playoff picture. The Clippers currently hold the same record as the Denver Nuggets (48-32) but are seeded fifth due to the tiebreaker. Both teams are just one game ahead of a cluster of teams including the Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
If the playoffs were to begin today, Los Angeles would face Denver in a 4-5 first-round matchup, potentially leading to a second-round encounter with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Tyronn Lue’s squad has been on an impressive run, winning 16 of their last 19 games and ranking first in offensive rating, third in defensive rating, and first in net rating (14.1) during that stretch.
Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings are battling to maintain home-court advantage in the 9-10 play-in game, holding a slim one-game lead over the Dallas Mavericks entering their matchup against the Clippers. The Kings have shown recent improvement, winning three of their last four games after a challenging 4-12 stretch.
They will be without Malik Monk (left calf strain) and Jake LaRavia (left thumb fracture) against the Clippers, while Keegan Murray (lower back inflammation) is also listed as questionable. Ultimately, the Clippers will need to carefully weigh the importance of securing a win to solidify their playoff seeding against the risk of further injury to Powell and Zubac.