The Denver Nuggets are gearing up to face the LA Clippers this Saturday. Both teams are looking to bounce back from season-opening losses, with the Nuggets falling to the Thunder 87-102, and the Clippers narrowly losing to the Suns in overtime, 113-116. Each team will be on the hunt for their first win as they tip off at Ball Arena in Denver.

Nikola Jokic was the standout performer for Denver as he bagged 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 13 assists. However, his efforts were no match for the Thunder’s duo Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, both scored 28 and 25 points respectively. Coach Malone expressed his thoughts on the team’s performance, stating, “Offensively, there’s a lot of room for improvement that starts with execution.” While he praised his players for their defensive efforts, he recognized that they struggled on the offensive end.

On the other hand, the Clippers were carried by James Harden, who stepped up in Kawhi Leonard‘s absence. He scored 29 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists. Ivica Zubac also chipped in 21 points. However, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal’s efforts ensured the Suns’ victory. KD reacted to the Suns’ win and called it “incredible”.

The Nuggets roster is nearly at full strength, while the Clippers are missing several key players. In their previous four encounters, Denver has managed to secure victory only once. Let’s take a look at the injury reports for both teams and identify which players will be sidelined for this matchup.

Injury Reports

Denver Nuggets Injury Report

The only player listed as injured for the Nuggets is 22-year-old DaRon Holmes II, a first-round pick from this year’s draft who was selected 22nd overall by the Suns. While there are no specific details regarding his injury, he will be unavailable for Saturday’s game.

LA Clippers Injury Report

Every Clippers fan is eager to know when Kawhi Leonard will return to the court. Unfortunately, he is expected to miss multiple weeks due to a knee injury. However, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, he is anticipated to play at some point this season. Last season, he participated in 68 games before getting injured, averaging 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. It’s clear that when he’s on the floor, the Clippers are a stronger team.

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Additionally, Mo Bamba is also sidelined with a knee injury and will not be available for the game against the Nuggets.

Depth Charts

Let’s examine the depth of both rosters in detail.

Denver Nuggets Depth Chart

LA Clippers Depth Chart

The LA Clippers will head into this matchup without Kawhi Leonard, placing the onus on James Harden to lead the team once again. The Clippers put up a strong fight against the Suns and Kevin Durant but ultimately fell short, and they’ll be looking to secure a positive result in Denver. However, they face a challenging opponent in Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets. Ultimately, it promises to be a competitive contest, with victory very much up for grabs.