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The Los Angeles Clippers will enter the 2024-25 season without Kawhi Leonard’s co-star Paul George after the nine-time All-Star left for the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency.
Still, expectations are high for the Clippers thanks to Leonard, James Harden and a strong supporting cast.
Los Angeles looked strong heading into the playoffs after a 51-31 regular season that earned them the fourth seed in the West, but the Clippers faced another disappointing first-round exit, losing to the Dallas Mavericks in six games.
As in the previous two seasons, Leonard’s health was a determining factor, as he only played two games in the series due to inflammation in his right knee. The Clippers are hoping to play Leonard the full season this year, as his presence on the court is directly linked to their success.
Although the loss of George will make things difficult this year, the Clippers got an offseason victory by re-signing Harden to a 10-month contract. two-year, $70 million contract. Harden had a productive season playing as a third option after George and Leonard, and he’ll look to make a strong comeback now that he’s the team’s true second option.
Los Angeles also hopes to make the most of offseason additions Nicolas Batum and Derrick Jones Jr.
It’s hard to say whether the Clippers have what it takes to compete for a championship this season, but a playoff spot and a potentially long run are within the ballpark.
Clippers 2024-25 schedule details
Season opening: vs. the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, October 23 at 10 p.m. ET
Championship odds: +8000 (bet $100 to win $5,000), by FanDuel
Full program: The full program is available on NBA.com.
The team that knocked you out of the playoffs will always be circled on the schedule, and that’s no different for the Clippers this season.
The Mavericks are the team to beat in the West after winning the conference finals a year ago, and Los Angeles will be looking to make statements against Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving and newcomer Klay Thompson.
The Clippers put together a solid effort against the Mavs considering they were without Leonard for most of the series, so a couple of wins against them would certainly boost their confidence heading into the playoffs.
Playoff matchups between Los Angeles and Dallas have also become fairly common, with the two teams having met in the playoffs three times in the last five years. If the trend continues, the matchup against the Mavs could be a good opportunity to scout a potential playoff opponent.
The game between the Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers is always fun as both teams look to earn bragging rights.
This year’s game will be particularly notable given that the Clippers, for the first time since moving to Los Angeles, will host the Lakers in their home arena.
The Clippers have shared Crypto.com Arena (formerly Staples Center) with the Lakers since 1999, but will play their first season in the Intuit Dome this year.
The game is also crucial given that both teams could be competing for one of the final playoff spots in the West. The Lakers reached the playoffs via the play-in tournament a year ago and could be in that position again this season after a lackluster performance in free agency.
After losing George, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Clippers also finish the season as the No. 7, 8, 9 or 10 seed and face the Lakers in a playoff-deciding game.
There’s no denying that the Clippers haven’t improved this offseason with the loss of George.
That said, giving Harden more responsibility and possibly getting him back to averaging 20+ points per game as one of the team’s go-to options on offense could help the offense settle into a more defined shape. The last time Harden was a team’s first option was during the 2019-20 season with the Houston Rockets, when he averaged 34.3 points per game and led the team to a fourth-place finish in the West.
At 34, Harden may not be the prolific scorer he once was, but he could play a more expansive type of offense that suits his game.
Ultimately, the Clippers will likely go as far as Leonard’s health takes them. Leonard, who opted out of Team USA to focus on his health, has appeared in more than 65 games since the 2018-19 regular season and has been regularly hampered by knee issues.
The Clippers’ roster is far less intimidating than it has been since Leonard and George teamed up, but Los Angeles still has the potential to have a successful season.
Fans probably shouldn’t expect the Clippers to make the Finals, but a playoff bid is entirely realistic.
