The Intuit Dome is open, the lights are blindingly bright, and the vibes in Inglewood are... complicated. If you haven't checked the box score lately, the Los Angeles Clippers starters probably look like a roster from a parallel universe. Gone are the days of the "213" era dominance where you could pencil in Paul George and Kawhi Leonard and just wait for the highlight reel. Now? It’s a gritty, defensive-minded group that’s trying to figure out how to win games while their $150 million superstar watches from the bench in a hoodie.
It’s honestly kind of wild.
You look at this lineup and you don't see the flash of the old "Lob City" or the wing-heavy scoring punch of the last four years. Instead, Ty Lue is rolling out a unit that basically has to scrap for every single possession. James Harden is the undisputed sun that everything orbits around, but the planets in that system have changed significantly. Let’s get into who is actually taking the floor and why this specific configuration is either a stroke of genius or a desperate survival tactic.
The James Harden System and the Los Angeles Clippers starters
James Harden isn't the "Houston James" anymore. We know this. He knows this. But in the current Los Angeles Clippers starters hierarchy, he’s being asked to time-travel back to 2018 just to keep the offense from flatlining. With Kawhi Leonard sidelined indefinitely due to that stubborn right knee inflammation, Harden is the lone "Blue Chip" creator in the first unit.
He’s averaging nearly double-digit assists because he has to.
The strategy is simple: Harden runs the high pick-and-roll, draws two defenders, and prays the spacing holds up. When you look at the guys surrounding him—Ivica Zubac, Norman Powell, Derrick Jones Jr., and Terance Mann—you see a team built for "The Beard" to operate. It’s a throwback. It’s heavy. It’s a lot of dribbling.
But here’s the thing people miss about this version of Harden. He’s actually trying on defense. Sorta. In this defensive-first shell Ty Lue has constructed, Harden’s post-up defense and active hands in the passing lanes are actually semi-useful. He’s not a cone anymore, mostly because if he were, this team would give up 130 points a night.
Norman Powell finally gets his wish
For years, Norman Powell was the ultimate "Sixth Man" microwave. He’d come in, drop 18 points in 20 minutes, and go home. But with Paul George now wearing a 7ers jersey in Philly, a massive scoring vacuum opened up. Powell didn't just walk into the starting shooting guard spot; he kicked the door down.
He’s the primary beneficiary of the Harden gravity.
When defenses collapse on a Harden drive, Powell is usually lingering in the corner or on the wing ready to fire. He’s arguably the most consistent pure scorer in the Los Angeles Clippers starters right now. It’s a weird shift for fans who grew up watching him as a spark plug off the bench, but he’s essentially playing the role of a secondary star. If he doesn't give them 20+, they usually lose. That’s a lot of pressure for a guy who spent most of his career as a luxury option.
The defensive anchors: Zubac and Jones Jr.
If James Harden is the engine, Ivica Zubac is the frame. "Zu" has been the most underrated center in the league for about three years running, and honestly, it’s getting a bit ridiculous. He’s the longest-tenured Clipper for a reason. In the current Los Angeles Clippers starters, his role has expanded from "screen setter" to "offensive hub" when Harden needs a break.
Ty Lue is actually calling plays for him. Think about that.
Then you add Derrick Jones Jr. to the mix. Getting the "Airplane Mode" forward from Dallas was a massive off-season heist that people didn't talk about enough. He’s the point-of-attack defender. If the opposing team has a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or a Devin Booker, Jones Jr. is the guy who has to chase them around for 30 minutes. He doesn't need the ball. He just needs to jump high, finish lobs, and make life miserable for the other team's best player.
It’s a gritty identity.
- Harden creates.
- Zubac cleans up and protects the rim.
- Jones Jr. takes the hardest defensive assignment.
- Powell scores.
- Mann does a little bit of everything.
Terance Mann is the glue (as always)
Terance Mann is the guy you can’t really define by stats. His box scores often look like a disaster—6 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists—but his impact on the Los Angeles Clippers starters is immense. He’s the "connector." If there’s a loose ball, he’s on it. If there’s a mismatch that needs covering, he’s there.
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However, there is a legitimate concern here. His three-point shooting has been shaky. In a lineup that features a non-shooter in Jones Jr. and a traditional center in Zubac, Mann has to hit shots to keep the floor spaced for Harden. When he’s hesitant, the whole offense stalls. It becomes a crowded mess in the paint.
The Kawhi Leonard elephant in the room
We have to talk about it. You can't discuss the Los Angeles Clippers starters without acknowledging the guy who should be at the top of the list. Kawhi Leonard’s absence has basically forced Ty Lue to reinvent the wheel.
The medical staff has been incredibly vague. "Inclusion of strengthening," "day-to-day," "indefinite." It’s a lot of word salad that basically means nobody knows when the Klaw is coming back. Until he does, this "Harden-plus-role-players" experiment is the reality.
The interesting part? The Clippers are actually playing harder without him. It’s that classic "nobody believes in us" energy. They know they aren't the most talented team on the floor most nights, so they compensate with sheer physicality. They are currently one of the top defensive teams in the league, which is hilarious considering their best defender is sitting in a folding chair on the sidelines.
Why this lineup is a nightmare to play against
Most NBA teams are built on finesse. The Clippers? They are built like a 90s Eastern Conference team trapped in 2026.
They muck up the game. They slow the pace down to a crawl. They rank near the bottom of the league in transition points because they’d rather set their defense and force you to play in the half-court. It’s frustrating for opponents. You see guys like Kevin Durant or Steph Curry getting visibly annoyed because Derrick Jones Jr. is practically in their jersey and Ivica Zubac is hacking them at the rim.
It’s not "pretty" basketball. It’s effective.
Actionable insights for fans and bettors
If you're following the Los Angeles Clippers starters closely, whether for fantasy basketball, betting, or just pure fandom, there are a few trends that are basically set in stone right now.
- Zubac is a double-double machine: Without another reliable big man, Zu is playing heavy minutes. He’s a safe bet for 10+ rebounds every single night.
- Harden’s turnover rate will stay high: Because he’s the only real playmaker in the starting five, he’s going to force passes. Don't be surprised by 5 or 6 turnovers; it's the cost of doing business.
- Watch the first six minutes: Ty Lue is experimenting with his rotations. If the starters don't establish a defensive rhythm early, he’s been quick to pull Mann or Jones Jr. for more shooting (like Kevin Porter Jr. or Kris Dunn).
- The "Under" is your friend: This team wants to play slow. They want scores in the 100-105 range. Betting on a high-scoring shootout with this starting unit is usually a recipe for disappointment.
The reality of the Los Angeles Clippers starters is that they are a bridge. They are a bridge to whatever the next version of this franchise looks like—whether that includes a healthy Kawhi Leonard or a complete pivot into a new era. For now, they are the hardest-working "misfits" in the Western Conference, and honestly, it’s kind of refreshing to watch.
Stop waiting for the "Superteam" version of the Clippers. They aren't here. This blue-collar, Harden-led squad is the show, and they’re going to make every single opponent work for a win. Keep an eye on Norman Powell's usage rate; if he stays this hot, he might actually end up in the All-Star conversation by default. That's the kind of season it's been in Inglewood. Keep your expectations grounded, but don't count them out. This group is weirdly resilient.