The Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers face each other just 24 hours after carrying out one of the most impactful trades of the NBA season, involving James Harden and Darius Garland. Last Tuesday (03/02), Harden was traded to Cleveland, while Garland started to defend the Clippers. Despite the special atmosphere, the clash will hardly mark the debut of any of them against their former team.
The duel takes place in Los Angeles, at 0:30 am (Brasília time) this morning, Thursday (05/02) in Brazil. NBA League Pass streams exclusively.
Harden’s situation is still surrounded by doubts. The point guard did not play in the last two matches citing personal reasons, which were later associated with the exchange negotiations. Although there is no official confirmation about his availability, the tendency is for him to be left out of the game. The internal expectation is that Harden will not be ready, both physically and emotionally, to face his former team so soon after the trade.
Darius Garland is officially out of this Wednesday’s duel. The 26-year-old point guard hasn’t been on the court in nine games because of a toe injury. When the problem was announced on January 18, the forecast was for at least a week of recovery. More than two weeks later, he remains away, and his debut for the Clippers should only happen on Friday, against the Sacramento Kings.
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In addition to Garland, the Los Angeles team will also be without Chris Paul and Bradley Beal. On the other hand, Derrick Jones Jr. appears as a possible reinforcement. Out since January 3rd with a knee sprain and absent from the last 15 games, he no longer appears on the injury report.
On the Cavaliers’ side, Evan Mobley remains out of action. The pivot, a key part of the team’s defensive system, is recovering from a calf strain and will be absent from the team for the fourth game in a row. Max Strus also remains a relevant absence, as he has not yet debuted this season.
Even dealing with several absences, Cleveland arrives ready for the clash in Los Angeles. The team won eight of its last ten games and reached fifth place in the Eastern Conference.
It is important to highlight that the scenario may still change between now and departure time.
NBA 25/26: calendar until the end of the season
- 05/02 – Trade deadline – 5pm (Brasília time)
- 13/02 a 15/02 – All-Star Game, em Los Angeles
- 12/04 – Closing of the regular season
- 14/04 a 17/04 – Play-In
- 18/04 – Start of the Playoffs
- 04/06 – Start of the NBA Finals
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