The Los Angeles Clippers are at home on Friday night as they host the New Orleans Pelicans to begin NBA Cup group play.
Los Angels enters Friday’s contest with a 2-2 record after losing to the Golden State Warriors on the road on Tuesday night.
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LA Clippers guard James Harden (1)© Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images
In Tuesday’s loss to the Warriors, James Harden led the way for the Clippers with 20 points and four rebounds while Kawhi Leonard ended the game with 18 points and six rebounds.
Now the Clippers will try to bounce back on Friday night against a struggling Pelicans team as they try to grab their third victory of the season.
On the other side, the Pelicans enter Friday’s game winless as they have dropped their first four games of the season, including one to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.
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New Orleans Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears (0) controls the ball under pressure from Denver Nuggets forward Cam Johnson (23) and forward Aaron Gordon (32)Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Jeremiah Fears led the way for the Pelicans in Wednesday’s loss as he recorded 21 points and six assists while Zion Williamson ended the game with 11 points.
While both teams are looking for a key victory in Friday’s matchup to begin NBA Cup group play with a win, both teams may be without some of their key players due to injuries.
Pelicans Injury Report, Will Zion Williamson Play?
For the Pelicans, they have two players listed on their injury report for Friday’s game as they have ruled out Dejounte Murray and have listed Kevon Looney as doubtful.
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Looney has been upgraded to doubtful due to a sprained knee but he is expected to miss Friday’s game, which will be his fifth consecutive missed contest.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion WilliamsonMatthew Hinton-Imagn Images
The good news for the Pelicans is that Williamson is off their injury report for Friday’s game after he was able to play through his foot injury in Wednesday’s loss to the Nuggets, though he did struggle.
Clippers Injury Report, Will Bradley Beal Play?
On the other side, the Clippers have only one player listed on their injury report for Friday’s game as they have ruled out Yanic Konan Niederhauser.
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Niederhauser has been ruled out for Friday’s game due to an ankle injury, though he has not seen much playing time during his rookie campaign due to the Clippers’ abundance of roster depth.
While Niederhauser will miss Friday’s game, Los Angeles did receive some positive news as Bradley Beal is no longer on their injury report and will play against the Pelicans.
Phoenix Suns forward Oso Ighodaro (11) guards Los Angeles Clippers guard Bradley Beal (0)Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Of course, Beal missed the last two games due to a lingering back injury but he will make his return on Frida night where he could have a large role.
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Fans can catch Friday’s matchup between the Pelicans and Clippers from Los Angeles at 10:30 p.m. EST.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Oct 31, 2025, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.