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The reigning champs, the Oklahoma City Thunder, have stormed into the new season without missing a beat. Seven wins in seven games, all while missing key pieces like Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren for stretches. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been the steady heartbeat, carrying OKC to the top of the Western Conference and reminding everyone why they’re still the team to beat. Now comes another test: a Tuesday night clash against the veteran Los Angeles Clippers. It’s the second night of a back-to-back for the Clips, who just fell to the Heat, and they’re still searching for the spark to end their three-year playoff drought. Historically, OKC’s had the upper hand in this matchup, and with Shai in MVP form, the Thunder will look to make it eight straight wins, especially with the Clippers’ most influential star already testing the injury waters. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad Is Kawhi Leonard playing tonight against OKC? Kawhi Leonard won’t be suiting up for Tuesday night’s clash against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Clippers have ruled him out with a right ankle sprain suffered during Monday’s game against the Heat, a contest where he still managed 27 points, four rebounds, four assists, and four steals. It’s the second half of a back-to-back for Los Angeles, and with Leonard already dealing with the tweak, the team decided not to take any chances. His absence leaves a big hole for the Clippers, who now sit at 3-3 and are already trying to find rhythm early in the season. Usually, Leonard sits at one end of a back-to-back, so this injury just made the call easier. Without him, players like Bogdan Bogdanovic, Kris Dunn, and John Collins will have to shoulder more of the offensive load against an unbeaten Thunder squad. But make no mistake, Leonard’s presence, especially his poise in crunch time, is something the Clippers can’t truly replace. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad Before this minor setback, Leonard had looked as sharp as ever, averaging 24.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists on an efficient 50.5% shooting. Just last week, he dropped 30 points and 10 boards against Portland, showing flashes of his old dominance. “He looks season form,” James Harden said recently, praising how healthy Leonard finally looked. Kawhi himself admitted the offseason did wonders: “I was able to travel a little, work on my body, and just feel good again.” But as Tuesday’s scratch shows, those familiar injury concerns aren’t completely gone yet. Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports Clippers vs OKC injury report for Nov 4 Clippers injury report ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad The Clippers’ injury list for Tuesday night against the Thunder is a long one. Kawhi Leonard will sit out with a right ankle sprain, while Bradley Beal is sidelined for right knee injury management, his third missed game of the season. Rookie Jordan Miller remains out with a left hamstring strain, and Kobe Sanders continues to recover from a right knee sprain. With four players unavailable, the Clippers’ depth will be tested as they look to stay competitive against an unbeaten Oklahoma City squad. OKC injury report The Thunder’s injury report for Tuesday’s matchup against the Clippers is a mix of setbacks and relief. Jalen Williams remains out as he continues to recover from offseason wrist surgery, while Kenrich Williams, Nikola Topic, and Thomas Sorber are also sidelined long-term. Jaylin Williams, Lu Dort, and Ajay Mitchell are all listed as questionable, dealing with a shoulder sprain, illness, and a glute contusion, respectively. The bright spot for OKC, though, is the return of Chet Holmgren, who’s finally off the injury list after missing three games with back soreness, giving the unbeaten Thunder a much-needed boost. Predicted lineups for Clippers vs OKC for Nov 4 The projected starting lineups for both teams are as follows: Where to watch the Clippers vs OKC game? Fans can tune in to watch the game through the following options: Date: Tuesday, November 4 Time: 11 p.m. ET Where to Watch: NBA TV, Bally Sports SoCal, Bally Sports Oklahoma Live Stream: Viewers can also stream the game live using NBA League Pass, Fubo, NBC or Peacock. Predictions for tonight’s Clippers vs OKC game The Oklahoma City Thunder are chasing history, eyeing an 8-0 start that would cement their status as the league’s early powerhouse. They’ve built their streak on elite defense, leading the league in defensive rating (104.2) and ranking first in net rating, while their offense sits comfortably in the top ten. Even without Jalen Williams, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has carried the load, averaging 26 points a night and setting the tone for a team that’s holding opponents to just 35.6% shooting from deep and 40.3 points in the paint. Holmgren’s comeback couldn’t be timed better; he adds length, rim protection, and that quiet edge that makes this Thunder defense nearly impossible to crack. On the other side, the Clippers are in a tough spot. They’re 3-3 overall but just 1-5 against the spread, a clear sign of inconsistency. The pressure lands squarely on James Harden’s shoulders. The Clippers average 113.3 points allowed per game and are giving up 23.5 points off turnovers, not the kind of numbers you want against a Thunder team that thrives on fast breaks and defensive pressure. Can the Clippers’ veterans finally sync up, or will fatigue and missing pieces sink them again? Looking at the trends, everything points toward OKC keeping the momentum alive. The Thunder are averaging 122.1 points per game, 8.8 more than what the Clippers usually give up, and have hit the over in four of their seven games. They’ve also beaten L.A. in their last four meetings and covered the spread twice in that span. The Clippers haven’t been underdogs once this season, but without Leonard’s two-way impact, this might be their toughest test yet. Unless Harden delivers a vintage night, it’s hard to see OKC’s depth and discipline cracking, especially with that defense firing on all cylinders.
