The L.A. Clippers will be without forward Luc Mbah a Moute for Friday night's game against the Houston Rockets.
Mbah a Moute spent last season with the Houston Rockets, and while he isn't your prototypical star, he does provide defensive versatility. The Rockets are without the reigning MVP in James Harden due to a recent hamstring injury. However, Houston will get Chris Paul back for Friday's game against his former team.
Luc Mbah a Moute has been a non-factor this season as he has averaged an abysmal 5.0 points and 1.8 rebounds a game for the Clippers this season. He had his best season with the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2014-15 season but has not produced anything substantial since. The 31-year-old Clippers player seems to be getting farther away from the 9.9 points and 4.9 rebounds nightly averages he posted back in Philly.
The NBA journeyman has been on six different teams and seems to be most effective as a starter. It's clear the Clippers are looking to develop younger talent and players with higher scoring capability like Danilo Gallinari and Montrezl Harrell.
Luc Mbah a Moute's production this season may not be anything special, but the 2-2 Clippers need all the help they can get against an elite team like the Houston Rockets. Losing players like Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, Austin Rivers, and Jamal Crawford doesn't exactly set a team up for success. Los Angeles has not done much in the way of replicating the production those players left behind.
The injury does not sound to be anything too serious, but the Clippers are not exactly blessed with talent this year. A veteran presence could help the younger players' development if nothing else.