The NBA is back, and the Los Angeles Clippers are ready to begin their pursuit of hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy for the first time in franchise history. The Clippers kickoff their 2025-26 season on the road with a tilt against the Utah Jazz next Wednesday, Oct. 22.
Los Angeles looks to build on their 2024-25 season, where they finished the regular season with over 50 wins for the second straight year, but fell to the Denver Nuggets in the first round.
Point guard James Harden returns as one of the most prolific playmakers in the game, averaging 23 points and nine assists per game last season. He’ll be joined by center Ivica Zubac, who is coming off the best statistical season of his career. As a strong rebounder and effective rim protector, Los Angeles will look for Zubac to pick up where he left off in 2024-25.
Harden will also be alongside Kawhi Leonard who has struggled to stay healthy in recent years but remains one of the best two-way players in the league.
Adding depth at key positions, Los Angeles picked up shooting guard Bradley Beal, center Brook Lopez and point guard Chris Paul via free agency. The Clippers also acquired John Collins via a three team trade from the Utah Jazz.
Repping the oldest team in NBA history, with a team average age of 33.2 years old, the Clippers have one of the most experienced lineups in the league.
The Utah Jazz on the other hand, are the complete opposite.
Utah is aiming to find a new identity with their young core of players amid a rebuild. The Jazz finished a league-worst 17-65 last season, and missed the playoffs for the third straight year. Committed to a rebuild, Utah has retooled — with new, up and coming talent.
While the Jazz may be young, its roster holds a lot of potential. Among the biggest additions over the offseason is Ace Bailey, who the Jazz took No. 5 overall in the draft, and Walter Clayton Jr., who they traded up to snag at No. 18.
Kyle Filipowski is also a player who hopes to make a big leap this year. Filipowski was impressive at the NBA Summer League, averaging 29 points and earning MVP honors.
If there’s one thing for Jazz fans to be excited about, it is the potential of their young pieces. 2025-26 may not be a championship season for the Jazz but it is a prime opportunity to build experience and assess the future.
The Clippers will look to make progress at elevating their offense to the next level in game one. Los Angeles’ defense took a big step forward last year, ranking third, but their offense was 20th in scoring and finished at the bottom of the league in three-pointers made. Replacing Norman Powell’s 22 points per game and impressive 42% three-point shooting will not be easy. Eyes are on Beal and Paul to take some pressure off of Harden and Leonard.
These are two teams that are at different stages in building a championship-caliber product. With a brand new season, both teams will be chasing their respective goals and look to start their year off on a high note.
Tipoff is scheduled for Oct. 22 at 6 p.m.