The Los Angeles Lakers host the LA Clippers in a crucial NBA Cup group stage showdown Tuesday night with major implications for the tournament bracket. Both teams enter this intracity rivalry matchup with perfect 2-0 records in West Group B, making the winner the clear favorite to advance to the knockout round. The Lakers will be without their starting center as they try to extend their four-game winning streak against a struggling Clippers squad.

Is Deandre Ayton playing tonight against the Clippers?

Deandre Ayton will not play for the Los Angeles Lakers tonight against the Clippers. The starting center has been officially ruled out with a right knee contusion suffered during Sunday’s game against the Utah Jazz. The team has not yet disclosed the extent of the injury or a potential timeline for his return.

Ayton has been one of the Lakers’ more impressive role players this season, averaging 15.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. The 27-year-old big man has started 15 of the Lakers’ 16 games this season, shooting an efficient 69.6 percent from the field. His absence creates a significant challenge in the frontcourt against the Clippers’ strong interior presence.

With Ayton unavailable, the Lakers will turn to Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber as their primary options at center. Hayes will probably draw the starting assignment against Clippers center Ivica Zubac. The lineup adjustment may also require increased rebounding contributions from Luka Doncic and LeBron James to compensate for Ayton’s absence on the glass.

LA Lakers vs LA Clippers injury report for Nov. 25

Lakers injury report

The Los Angeles Lakers have just one player on their injury report for tonight’s game. As discussed, Deandre Ayton remains out with his knee issue, leaving the team thin at the center position. All other Lakers players are available, including LeBron James, who has returned from his sciatica issue and is not listed on the injury report.

Clippers injury report

The LA Clippers have four players on their injury report for this matchup. Bogdan Bogdanovic is questionable with a left hip contusion that caused him to miss the team’s previous two games.

Three players have been ruled out entirely, including Bradley Beal, who will undergo season-ending surgery on his left hip. Derrick Jones Jr. remains out with a sprained MCL, and Jordan Miller is sidelined with a left hamstring injury.

Kawhi Leonard is available for the Clippers after returning from his own injury absence. The star forward played twenty-six minutes in Sunday’s loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, scoring twenty points in his return to action. Leonard’s availability gives the Clippers their full starting lineup alongside James Harden and Ivica Zubac.

Predicted lineups for Lakers vs Clippers for Nov. 25

These projections account for Deandre Ayton’s absence for the Lakers.

Where to watch the Lakers vs Clippers game?

Date: Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Time: 8:00 PM Pacific Time / 11:00 PM Eastern Time

Where to Watch: The game will be televised on NBC and Spectrum Sportsnet. Streaming options include Peacock.

Game preview and what to expect

The Los Angeles Lakers arrive with significant momentum, having won four consecutive games. They now stand at third in the Western Conference with a 12-4 record, whereas the Clippers have struggled throughout the early season, posting a 5-12 record that includes a 2-7 mark on the road.

The Lakers have succeeded despite being one of the league’s worst three-point shooting teams, ranking 26th in three-point percentage at 33.3%. Luka Doncic leads the NBA in scoring at 34.5 points per game, while Austin Reaves averages 27.6 points.

With both teams undefeated in NBA Cup group play, the stakes are high for this rivalry matchup. The Lakers have won four of the last five meetings between these teams. Given the Lakers’ superior record, home court advantage, and overall form, the prediction is for the Los Angeles Lakers to secure the victory and control of West Group B.