The Los Angeles Clippers will play their season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers without a key piece in Marcus Morris. The veteran forward will be missing their first game due to right knee soreness, per ESPN.
Morris failed to suit up in each of the team's three preseason games. The Clippers ultimately snagged an 0-3 preseason record. The three losses came after consecutive defeats against the Lakers followed by a lopsided clobbering dealt by the Utah Jazz.
The former Kansas Jayhawk returned to the Clippers on a fresh four-year, $64 million contract during the offseason. He previously emerged as a pivotal piece for the team on both ends of the floor with his averages of 10.1 points and 4.1 rebounds in 19 regular-season appearances last season. In 13 playoff starts, he put up 11.8 points and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 50.5% overall and an impressive 47.5% on 3-pointers.
The veteran came over midseason in a trade from the New York Knicks. Morris' twin brother, Markieff, re-signed with the Lakers in the offseason and should play on Tuesday.
Another veteran forward in Nicolas Batum, who recently came over to the team after being cut by the Charlotte Hornets, will likely be starting in place of Morris in their first game of the season. Batum started all three preseason games in Morris' place.
The Frenchman previously concluded his fifth campaign in Buzz City with measly norms of 3.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 22 appearances. He is hoping to rejuvenate his career and find his previous form once again, this time with the Los Angeles-based squad.
Kawhi Leonard and the rest of the Clippers will hope to start their 2020-2021 campaign in the right direction as they aim to spoil the Lakers' ring ceremony even without Marcus Morris on the floor.
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