NBA1 hour ago1 minute read

Lakers Missing Doncic and Williams in Wednesday Matchup Against Clippers

Luka Doncic and Ziaire Williams will miss the Lakers match against the Clippers, while Rui Hachimura sits out for the Clippers.

The EagleEyeOdds deskWritten from the match data, checked against our model before it goes out

Key absences for the Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers will play without star player Luka Doncic on Wednesday night against the LA Clippers at Intuit Dome. The team announced that Doncic is sidelined due to back tightness. This news comes right after Doncic scored 41 points in a 136-129 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday.

The loss to Portland was the first defeat of the year for the Lakers, who started the season with three straight victories. One week into the NBA season, Doncic is leading the entire league in scoring with an average of 36.0 points per game.

Roster updates for both teams

The Lakers are playing on the second night of consecutive games. On top of missing Doncic, the team will also be without starter Ziaire Williams. Williams is unable to suit up due to left foot soreness.

The Clippers have their own roster issues to handle for Wednesday's contest. Forward Rui Hachimura is ruled out with left quad soreness. In his place, Kobe Sanders will enter the starting lineup for his first start of the season.

Past matchup context

Hachimura played against his former team last week and scored 16 points. That game ended in a 125-117 win for the Lakers over the Clippers at Crypto.com Arena.

With both sides missing key rotation players, Wednesday's game at Intuit Dome presents a fresh test for both teams.

What it means for the next game

Los Angeles Lakers at LA Clippers (NBA, Thu, 29 Oct): LA Clippers win 49%, Los Angeles Lakers win 51%; projected score LA Clippers 113, Los Angeles Lakers 111. Our safest pick: Clippers +6.5.

LA Clippers at Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA, Sat, 31 Oct): Minnesota Timberwolves win 75%, LA Clippers win 25%; projected score Minnesota Timberwolves 118, LA Clippers 110. Our safest pick: Timberwolves to win.