The Los Angeles Clippers have dropped nine of their last 10 games, falling to 4-11 and 12th in the Western Conference after a 129-101 loss to the Orlando Magic. Injuries to key players like Kawhi Leonard and Bradley Beal have derailed high expectations following an active offseason. The team now fights just to reach the Play-In Tournament while owing their 2026 first-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Clippers' season has unraveled quickly, marked by a string of defeats and mounting injuries. On Thursday night, they suffered a 129-101 defeat to the Orlando Magic, extending a three-game losing streak and contributing to their 4-11 record. This places them 12th in the Western Conference, six games behind the No. 6 spot.
High hopes followed the offseason additions of veterans Bradley Beal, Brook Lopez, Chris Paul, and John Collins, aiming to build on last season's 50-win campaign that ended in a first-round playoff exit. However, nothing has clicked. Kawhi Leonard has appeared in only six games due to foot and ankle issues, Beal is out for the season with a hip injury after a slow start following a May knee scope, and Derrick Jones Jr. will miss at least six weeks with a knee sprain.
The roster, the oldest in NBA history, has struggled with pace in a league favoring youth and speed. Even when healthy, core players James Harden, Leonard, and Ivica Zubac posted a minus-10.5 net rating in 145 minutes together. Harden has shouldered a heavy load, ranking 10th in minutes played with elevated usage and points per game—his highest since his last full Houston season. He leads the league in pull-up 3-point attempts at 8.1 per game (36% shooting), is ninth in free-throw attempts at 8.2 (91.3% made), and boasts a true shooting percentage of 62.4 entering the Orlando game.
Defensively, the Clippers rank 24th (118.8 points allowed per 100 possessions, seventh-worst), struggling in transition and allowing the most points off turnovers (22.9). Their turnover rate sits at 16.7% (28th), fueling opponent fast breaks (18.8 points, 29th). Offensively, they are 22nd.
Roundtable insights highlight debates: Jack Maloney blames offseason moves for lacking speed, while Jasmyn Wimbish points to injuries. On Harden's sustainability, Robby Kalland believes in his capabilities but notes the approach limits contention. All agree defense is the bigger issue, with James Herbert citing slowness in transition. Playoff chances via the Play-In seem feasible given the sixth-easiest remaining schedule and weak teams ahead like the Grizzlies, Jazz, and Trail Blazers.