Star Player Ruled OUT for Heat-Clippers

The Miami Heat and LA Clippers are facing off at Intuit Dome on Monday. This is the return to action for LA after its Saturday night contest against the Charlotte Hornets was postponed due to the Los Angeles wildfires.

Kawhi Leonard will play his third game of the season on Monday night, as he missed LA’s last game against the Denver Nuggets. Heading home to be with his family affected by the fires, Leonard rejoined the Clippers when they returned from Denver.

While Leonard is playing, this game will be missing two star players, including one who was recently ruled out.

Already without Jimmy Butler, who is suspended from the team, Miami announced on Monday that Bam Adebayo is also out.

Via Miami Heat: “INJURY UPDATE: Bam Adebayo (lower back contusion) has been ruled out of tonight’s game vs the Clippers.”

Miami has won three-straight games, while the Clippers have lost four of their last five. The two teams have identical 20-17 records entering play on Monday night. 

Speaking with reporters before the game, Clippers head coach Ty Lue acknowledged the context of which this game is being played.

Lue:  “I hope it can bring some smiles to some faces. Get their thoughts off the devastating fires right now. Life experiences trump everything… that’s the most important thing. But hopefully we can step away for a few hours and enjoy basketball.”

The Clippers will look to do just that on Monday night.

Ex-NBA Star Calls Out Drake for DeMar DeRozan Comments

Patrick Beverley Makes Statement on Possible NBA Comeback

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Makes Honest Statement on Clippers-Thunder Trade