Los Angeles Clippers vs Utah Jazz – Preview & Prediction (Jan. 01, 2026)
The Los Angeles Clippers host the Utah Jazz to kick off the new year, a matchup that pits a team trying to climb back into form against a Jazz squad that has been uneven and appears to be thinking long-term about the draft. Here’s a concise look at what to expect, who’s available, and a prediction for the game.
Game preview
The Clippers have been one of the season’s surprise disappointments, sitting well below expectations after 32 games. Still, they’ve rattled off five straight wins recently, including a comfortable victory over Sacramento, and that streak has injected some momentum into their season. Their record remains underwhelming, so they’ll need this kind of consistency to try and climb the standings.
Roster turbulence hasn’t helped — long-term plans and injuries have shuffled rotations, and at times too many scoring responsibilities have fallen on James Harden. Kawhi Leonard’s form has been a bright spot; he’s shown he can take over offensively with some huge scoring nights recently. For the Clippers to sustain this run, they’ll need Leonard to keep producing at a high level and others to contribute steady support.
The Jazz have had flashes of quality but haven’t maintained it. They’ve been hampered by overall roster limitations and defensive struggles, and it’s felt like some results are being sacrificed to improve long-term draft positioning. A recent loss to Boston snapped a brief two-game win streak that included surprising victories over strong opponents. Keyonte George has emerged as a dynamic scorer and playmaker, while Lauri Markkanen has been the team’s leading scorer and an All-Star candidate. Still, defensive issues remain their biggest obstacle.
Head-to-head, injuries and prediction
The Jazz already beat the Clippers once this season by a wide margin in the matchup at the start of the year, so the Clippers will be looking for payback and a stronger showing this time around.
Injuries and absences: Bradley Beal, Ivica Zubac, and Bogdan Bogdanovic are listed as unavailable for the Clippers. The Jazz are missing Walker Kessler, Jusuf Nurkic, Ace Bailey, Kevin Love, and Georges Niang, while Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George are listed as questionable. Check final pregame reports for any changes.
Prediction: The Clippers’ recent hot stretch and a deeper rotation should give them the edge, especially with the Jazz thin on personnel and struggling defensively. Expect Los Angeles to win by a comfortable margin.
Tip-off: Thursday, January 1 — 10:30 p.m. EST.
Note: Lineups and availability can change late; always verify final rosters before the game.
