The LA Clippers and Dallas Mavericks have nearly identical five-win records. If that was not bad enough, their momentum is far from being different. Both teams are also stumbling into a three-game losing skid. Dallas is sitting two spots below the Clippers, in 14th place in the West. Despite the struggles, a lot is at stake during these initial interactions between the teams.

As the Clippers prepare to host the Mavs, the real question hanging over this game is – will Kawhi Leonard suit up alongside James Harden to take on the Mavs tonight?

Clippers Injury Report: Are Kawhi Leonard and James Harden Playing Tonight?

Clippers fans can rejoice as we are expecting Kawhi Leonard to suit up tonight. He missed 10 straight games after spraining his right ankle on November 3. His prolonged absence began after that injury. As for his 2025-26 season numbers, Leonard is averaging 23.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, shooting 49.2% from the field. 

Similarly, James Harden is not listed on the Clippers’ injury report. So he is expected to play tonight. Harden has averaged 25.2 points, 8.0 assists, and 7.4 rebounds in his last 5 games vs. Dallas. What makes his presence more significant is the way he has unleashed the vintage Harden. In his 17th season, he amazed everyone after scoring a 55 points masterpiece against the Hornets.

Other Clippers – Injury Notes

1. Bogdan Bogdanovic’s status is out due to his hip injury.
2. Derrick Jones Jr. is out after spraining the MCL and right knee. He is to be re-evaluated in ~6 weeks.
3. Bradley Beal is out. He will undergo season-ending left hip surgery.

Mavericks Injury Report: Are Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg Playing Tonight?

It looks like he had come out only to play against his former team. Since Anthony Davis will not be playing tonight. He is out as part of injury management. His last appearance with the Mavs at the NBA Cup play game in LA marked his first appearance since being sidelined after straining his calf on October 29.

In the game against the Lakers, Davis logged 12 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks in 28 minutes on 6-of-10 shooting.

According to Davis: “We weren’t really trying to force anything… They were kind of double-teaming every time I caught the ball. As soon as I catch it and turn around, it was two guys in my face. I was just trying to make the right play with the pass. The shots [will] come to me when I have an opportunity to score, but the rhythm’s going to get there.”

Cooper Flagg, unlike Davis, is cleared to play tonight. So far, he has missed only one recent game—against the Knicks—and currently has no injury concerns listed. Despite being one of the most promising young talents on the Mavericks roster, his last outing was disappointing.

He scored just 13 points against the Lakers. His season-high performance came on November 22 against New Orleans, when he scored 29 points.

Other Mavericks Injuries – 

1. Dereck Lively II remains out with a foot injury; the Mavericks have announced he will miss their next three games and will be re-evaluated in 7-10 days.
2. Dante Exum is out for the season after undergoing knee surgery.
3. Kyrie Irving is on the list throughout this season. His knee is still being rehabbed from a torn ACL back in March of 2025.

Predicted Starting Line-Ups: Clippers vs Mavericks

The predicted starting lineups for tonight’s game are:

The Clippers are reeling from a three-game losing streak with no end in sight. And no other team understands this uncertainty more than the Dallas team.

With both teams sitting in the lower tier of the Western Conference standings, this meeting will show early implications for positioning. Whichever side manages its injuries, shot creation, and defensive gaps will walk away with the edge.