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Lakers vs Clippers Preview: No Lou Williams, No Montrezl Harrell, No Problem?

By Kevin Germany

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 4: Lou Williams #23 and Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers share a conversation during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 4, 2020 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 4: Lou Williams #23 and Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers share a conversation during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 4, 2020 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

The Los Angeles Lakers take on the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA’s return.

The Los Angeles Lakers take on the Los Angeles Clippers tonight at 6 p.m. PDT.

Who’s Not Playing:

Both the Lakers and the Clippers are shorthanded. No doubt about it. If this were a normal season, we would not have batted an eye at the injury report below.

Lakers: Avery Bradley (personal reasons) and Rajon Rondo (broken thumb)

Clippers: Lou Williams (undergoing a mandatory 10-day quarantine), Montrezl Harrell (personal reasons; wishing him and his family well!)

Every team has injuries at this point. On opening night, it is unusual. That is normal. This is not a normal season! We are in uncharted territory here. The stars have to align for the season to even end. We thank our lucky stars that Lakers star Anthony Davis (eye injury) plans to play tonight.

Will tonight’s Lakers-Clippers game be a Western Conference Finals preview?

Most likely, if we get that far. They are the two most complete teams in the West. But the pro sports bubble has never lasted this long. One person entering the bubble with the virus may very well burst this bubble and ruin this season. We need sports more than ever. There is too much at stake for the NBA to let this bubble burst.

Hence the reason why everyone freaked out when Clippers star Lou Williams was photographed in Magic City. The fallout is legit. The optics are bad. The perception that Lou Williams abused the excused absence protocol is not a good look for the NBA. The 10-day quarantine can really be disguised as a two-game suspension.

Lou Will could have been equally at risk for testing positive for COVID-19 going to a funeral as opposed to frequenting said establishment, but all the NBA players are still at work and therefore must abide by the workplace rules at the end of the day.

With that said, let’s relax. Sit back. Enjoy some chicken wings. And let’s find out if the Clippers missing their super subs really matter.

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