The LA Clippers are set to host the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night, the second game of a tough five-on-seven stretch for the Clippers.
Two-time NBA All-Star Darius Garland was on the Clippers' injury report for Friday night's game against the Chicago Bulls and did not play with what the team called "left toe injury management." The Clippers are taking several precautions to ensure that Garland does not suffer any effects from surgery on his left toe in the offseason, as well as a sprain on his right toe earlier this season.
Everything we know about Darius Garland's injury status for tonight's game vs. the Kings.
Darius Garland's injury status vs. Kings
Darius Garland was listed out for Friday night's game against the Chicago Bulls, but is expected to be upgraded to "available" to play in Saturday night's game against the Sacramento Kings. The LA Clippers are expected to make it official around 1pm PST when the official injury report is released.
Darius Garland hasn't played in any back-to-backs since the Clippers acquired him in the trade deadline week deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers for James Harden. The Clippers guard has had his minutes limited in his return to action following a toe injury, but hopes to continue playing his way through it.
Darius Garland told ClutchPoints, "I'm just trying to stick with it. My teammates are picking me up, the coaches are telling me to stick with it. I'm just trying to get my rhythm back, get used to playing with everybody, get used to the system. I mean it's been good, it's been seamless. I've had issues with the minutes restriction, but it's all good. I'm just talking about the medical staff and the coaches. Trying to listen and just go out there and play with a chip on my shoulder and work as hard as I can when I have those minutes.”
The Clippers are undefeated in the five games Garland has played so far, with the guard averaging 17.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.0 steals per game, while shooting 47.1 percent from the field and 45.9 percent from three.
So far, the Clippers have posted a 34–32 record, turning their season around to 28–11 since starting the season 6–21.
When it comes to the question of whether Darius Garland is playing tonight against the Kings, the answer is yes.
clippers injury report
The Clippers have four players listed on the injury report for Friday night's game.
- Darius Garland (left toe injury management): out
- Bradley Beal (left hip fracture): Out
- John Collins (neck strain): out
- Yannick Konan Niederhauser (right Lisfranc ligament rupture): out
Kings injury report
The Clippers have nine players listed on the injury report for Friday night's game.
- Patrick Baldwin Jr. (G League - Two-Way): Out
- Devin Carter (right calf soreness): out
- Drew Eubanks (left thumb soreness): out
- De'Andre Hunter (retinal repair of left eye): out
- Zach LaVine (right fifth finger tendon repair): out
- Malik Monk (right ankle soreness): doubtful
- Keegan Murray (sprained left ankle): Out
- Domantas Sabonis (left knee meniscus repair): outside
- Isaiah Stevens (G League - Two-Way): Out
The Sacramento Kings were defeated by the Charlotte Hornets 117-109 on Wednesday night. Friday's game represents the second consecutive contest for the Clippers.
