Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers begin the regular season under a cloud of uncertainty. Off the court, the team is under an independent investigation, with owner Steve Ballmer being accused of violating NBA rules. New reports have emerged that found his early statement to be contradictory, a claim that has reignited the argument of whether the Clippers and Leonard will be punished or fined. Well, for now, that stuff has been put on the back burner as the Clippers are set to kick off the 2025-26 NBA season Wednesday night against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City. So, naturally, the question arises, whether Kawhi Leonard will be on the floor tonight?

Is Kawhi Leonard playing tonight?

Yes, Kawhi Leonard is playing tonight for the Los Angeles Clippers in their season opener against the Utah Jazz. He is not listed on the injury report and is expected to be in the starting lineup.

But he comes off a limited 2024-25 season in which he appeared in only 37 games due to lingering knee problems. He missed the preseason finale against the Golden State Warriors for rest purposes but is set to return to action tonight. He begins his 14th NBA season healthy and ready for a full schedule.

Leonard’s offseason focused on recovery, with particular emphasis on conditioning. Head coach Tyronn Lue noted in an interview that the revamped, veteran-heavy roster may take 15 to 20 games to fully establish chemistry and rotations. Aside from Leonard, the Clippers have a healthy roster for the opener. However, Jordan Miller is ruled out with left hamstring soreness, but no other key absences are reported.

Predicted starting lineups for the Clippers Vs the Jazz matchup

The Clippers will rely on their experienced starting five, led by Kawhi Leonard, with James Harden orchestrating the offense and helping integrate the team’s new acquisitions. For the Jazz, the spotlight will be on their promising young core, including Keyonte George and Ace Bailey. Let’s take a look at the expected lineup for both teams-

Los Angeles Clippers:

Utah Jazz:

This is what the starting lineup looks like. Clearly, the roster for the Clippers is loaded with veterans. The Clippers are the oldest team in the league with an average age of 33.2 years. Whereas the Jazz are looking to build up chemistry for a team with a young core. Both teams will be eager to establish momentum for the season ahead.

Where to watch the Clippers Vs the Jazz matchup

The Utah Jazz will host the Los Angeles Clippers in the season opener at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. The matchup marks the first of many games for Utah’s young core, featuring rookies Isaiah Collier and 19-year-old Ace Bailey. Fans are definitely in for an exciting watch. If you are wondering how to watch the game, here are the details.

• Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2025

• Time: 9:00 PM PDT / 6:30 AM IST (Thursday, October 23)

• Venue: Delta Center, Salt Lake City

• TV: ESPN

• Streaming: FuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, NBA League Pass

With Kawhi Leonard leading the charge, the Clippers are most likely favored to win their season opener against the Jazz. Leonard showcased his scoring ability and defensive impact in the two preseason games he played. While the Clippers may take a few games to fully sync rotations with their revamped roster.