Kawhi Leonard, Clippers
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Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers complains to a referee against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Los Angeles Clippers were dealt another setback on Tuesday as Bennedict Mathurin joined Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland on the team’s growing injury report.
With all three players now in question ahead of Wednesday’s matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans, Los Angeles could be facing one of its most short-handed games of the season.
Mathurin (toe) will miss the team’s upcoming three-game road trip, which concludes Saturday in Dallas, according to Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints. The team initially ruled him out for Wednesday’s game before clarifying that he will be sidelined for multiple games while undergoing treatment.
The development comes on the heels of a 119-115 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, extending the Clippers’ losing streak to two games and adding urgency to an already challenging stretch.
Clippers Injury Woes Continue to Grow
The Bennedict Mathurin injury leaves the Clippers dangerously thin at a critical point in the season.
Los Angeles now sits at 34-34 after climbing back from a 6-21 start, but their grip on a play-in spot remains fragile. The Clippers are just one game ahead of the Golden State Warriors for the No. 8 seed and only 1.5 games clear of the Portland Trail Blazers.
With just 14 games remaining, every absence carries weight.
Mathurin had been a steady contributor in the loss, finishing with 16 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals in 34 minutes off the bench.
Now, his absence could force a significant reshuffling of the rotation.
Next-Man-Up Mentality Put to the Test
After the loss, Mathurin emphasized the team’s depth and readiness — a mindset that will now be tested.
“Fourteen games [left in the season],” Mathurin said. “We have a team full of guys that come ready to play, whether they played six minutes or 36 minutes. Everybody’s ready to play. That’s our advantage and we have to use that.”
That next-man-up mentality now shifts to his teammates.
If Leonard and Garland are also sidelined, head coach Tyronn Lue will be forced to lean heavily on veterans John Collins, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Kris Dunn, along with emerging forward Jordan Miller.
Miller offered a glimpse of that potential against San Antonio, erupting for 22 points and nine rebounds while stepping into a larger offensive role.
Key Piece Missing From Rotation
Mathurin’s absence is particularly significant given his role.
Acquired in the deal that sent Ivica Zubac out of Los Angeles, the 23-year-old wing has developed into a key contributor, averaging 19.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals.
His scoring punch and physicality have helped stabilize the Clippers’ offense — especially during stretches when Leonard has been unavailable.
Without him, the Clippers lose a reliable source of production on both ends.
Uncertainty Around Kawhi Leonard, Darius Garland
The situation becomes even more precarious with Leonard (ankle) and Garland (toe) both listed as questionable.
Leonard remains the team’s most impactful two-way player, while Garland has quickly emerged as a primary offensive option since joining the Clippers.
Garland is coming off a 25-point, 10-assist performance against the Spurs — his second straight 25-point game — underscoring his importance to the offense.
If both are unable to play, the Clippers could enter Wednesday’s matchup without their top three scoring options.
Clippers Facing Critical Stretch
The timing could hardly be worse.
With the regular season winding down and playoff positioning tightening, the Clippers must find ways to stay competitive despite a depleted roster.
They do have one advantage — a relatively favorable remaining schedule — but their margin for error is shrinking.
For now, the focus shifts to depth, execution and resilience.
And with Mathurin sidelined and the status of Leonard and Garland still uncertain, the Clippers face a defining test in their push toward the postseason.