The Clippers are scheduled to resume play Monday evening, facing the Miami Heat at the Intuit Dome, after Saturday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets was postponed by the NBA due to the Los Angeles-area wildfires.
The date for the rescheduled game will be announced later.
The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association have donated $1 million for immediate relief to the American Red Cross, World Central Kitchen and other organizations to support those affected by the fires and are working with the Clippers and Lakers on ways to support longer term assistance and rebuilding efforts, according to the league.
The game will be the Clippers’ first since Wednesday’s 126-103 loss at Denver dropped their record to 20-17. The Clippers have lost four of their last five games to fall to seventh in the 15-team Western Conference, a half-game behind the sixth-place Lakers (20-16). They would play in the Play-in Tournament if the season ended Monday.
Forward Kawhi Leonard will be available for his third game of the season. He was sidelined for the first 34 games as he rehabilitated from inflammation in his right knee. He scored 12 points in 19 minutes, 25 seconds in his season debut Jan. 4 and eight points last Monday.
The Pacific Palisades resident was not with the team in Denver because he flew back to Los Angeles before the game to help his family deal with the Palisades Fire.
Leonard was at Sunday’s practice, but was not among the players the Clippers made available for interviews.
Leonard averaged a team-high 23.7 points per game last season, helping lead the Clippers to 51-31 record and their first Pacific Division championship since the 2013-14 season.
The Heat will be without six-time all-star forward Jimmy Butler, who was suspended Jan. 3 for seven games for “multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team over the course of the season and particularly the last several weeks,” the team said in a statement.
“Through his actions and statements, he has shown he no longer wants to be part of this team,” the statement said. “Jimmy Butler and his representative have indicated that they wish to be traded, therefore, we will listen to offers.”
Following his most recent game, a 128-115 loss to the Indiana Pacers Jan. 2 at Miami, Butler said wanted “to see me get my joy back from playing basketball.” When asked if he believed he could get his joy back while playing for the Heat, he responded, “probably not.”
Miami is 3-2 during Butler’s suspension, winning its last three games.
The Heat are also 20-17, tied for sixth in the 15-team Eastern Conference with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Oddsmakers have made the Clippers a seven- to 7 1/2-point favorite. ESPN’s matchup predictor gives the Clippers a 72.3% chance of winning, Miami a 27.7% chance.
The 7:30 p.m. game will be televised by FanDuel Sports Network SoCal.