October 27, 2026 at 5:14 AM UTC

Pregame Analysis

Unbeaten Lakers Look to Extend Their Edge Over a Thin Clippers Roster

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The 3-0 Lakers visit a shorthanded Clippers team that already lost to them this season.

The Lakers arrive at the Clippers' building undefeated, and the early evidence suggests it is no fluke. Their 3-0 start comes with the league's fourth-best net rating, and they have already beaten this opponent, 125-117. That game was competitive in the first half before getting away from the Clippers in the third quarter. Brook Lopez had a strong night in it, but one big individual game was not enough to hold off Los Angeles once the pace and execution tilted.

The Clippers are in a tougher spot now. Several players are out, including Brandon Ingram, who has not yet debuted for them after right heel surgery, and Bradley Beal. Their latest outing was a 108-101 loss to Oklahoma City, a game that highlighted how undersized their frontcourt can look. A depleted rotation makes it harder to answer a third-quarter push, which is when the first meeting slipped away.

The main risk for the Lakers is Walker Kessler's finger issue. They have been 28.8 points per 100 possessions worse with him off the floor, and without him they would be thin at center. Adou Thiero and rookie Cameron Carr have yet to play because of injuries, so wing depth is limited too. If Kessler is available, though, the Lakers hold the more complete roster and the stronger recent form.

Expect the Clippers to hang around early, as they did last time. Over four quarters, the Lakers' depth advantage and healthier group should matter more, particularly if they control the paint and win the third quarter again. Even with some Kessler uncertainty, I like Los Angeles' purple-and-gold side to stay unbeaten with a measured road win, 119-111.

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