Clippers 2024-25 schedule: Best games, championship odds & record predictions | News, scores, highlights, stats & rumors

The Los Angeles Clippers will begin the 2024-25 season without Kawhi Leonard’s co-star Paul George after the nine-time All-Star left for the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency.

Still, expectations are high for the Clippers behind Leonard, James Harden and a solid supporting cast.

Los Angeles looked strong heading into the playoffs after a 51-31 regular season that earned them fourth place in the West, but the Clippers faced another disappointing first-round exit, losing to the Dallas Mavericks in six games.

As in the previous two seasons, Leonard’s health was a factor, as he played in just two games of the series due to inflammation in his right knee. The Clippers hope to be able to count on Leonard for a full season this year, as his presence on the court directly correlates to his success.

While the loss of George will complicate things this year, the Clippers did score a victory in the offseason by re-signing Harden to a two-year, $70 million contract. Harden had a productive season playing as a third option to George and Leonard, and he’ll look to re-emerge now that he’s the team’s true second option.

Los Angeles is also hoping to get the most out of offseason additions Nicolas Batum and Derrick Jones Jr.

It’s hard to say whether the Clippers have what it takes to compete for a championship this season, but a playoff berth and a possible deep run are within the range of possible outcomes.

Clippers 2024-25 Schedule Details

Season opening: vs. Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, October 23 at 10 p.m. ET.

Championship odds: +8000 (bet $100 to win $5000), according to FanDuel

Full program: The complete schedule is available at NBA.com.

The team that eliminated you from the playoffs will always be marked on the calendar, and that’s no different for the Clippers this season.

The Mavericks are the team to beat in the West after winning the conference finals a year ago, and Los Angeles will look to make statements against Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving and newly acquired Klay Thompson.

The Clippers put up a solid effort against the Mavs considering they were without Leonard for most of the series, so a couple of wins against them would certainly boost their confidence heading into the postseason.

The postseason matchup between Los Angeles and Dallas has also become a regular occurrence, as the two teams have met in the playoffs three times in the past five years. If the trend continues, the game against the Mavs could be a good opportunity to evaluate a potential playoff opponent.

The matchup between the Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers is always a fun one as both teams look to earn bragging rights.

This year’s matchup will be especially notable considering the Clippers, for the first time since moving to Los Angeles, will host the Lakers in their home arena.

The Clippers have shared Crypto.com Arena (formerly Staples Center) with the Lakers since 1999, but will play their first season at the Intuit Dome this year.

The matchup is also crucial considering the two teams could be competing for one of the West’s final playoff spots. The Lakers reached the postseason via the play-in tournament a year ago and could be in that position again this season after a lackluster showing in free agency.

After the loss of George, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Clippers also finish the season as the No. 7, 8, 9 or 10 seed and have to face the Lakers in a game that determines their playoff fate.

There’s no denying that the Clippers didn’t get any better this offseason with the loss of George.

That said, giving Harden more responsibility and potentially returning to being a 20-plus point-per-game scorer as one of the team’s options on offense could allow the offense to settle into a more defined shape. The last time Harden was a team’s first option was in the 2019-20 season with the Houston Rockets, when he averaged 34.3 points per game and led the team to a fourth-place finish in the West.

At 34, Harden may not be as prolific a scorer as he once was, but he could play a more expansive type of offense tailored to his game.

In the end, though, the Clippers will likely go as far as Leonard’s health takes them. Leonard, who retired from Team USA to focus on his health, has appeared in more than 65 games since the 2018-19 regular season and has been routinely hampered by knee issues.

The Clippers’ roster is far less intimidating than it has been since Leonard and George initially joined, but there is still potential for Los Angeles to put together a successful season.

Fans probably shouldn’t expect a Clippers Finals appearance, but a playoff bid is quite realistic.