The Houston Rockets (17-9) head to Inglewood to take on the Los Angeles Clippers (7-21) in a Western Conference mismatch that pits a surging Rockets squad against a Clippers team mired in a dismal season. Houston has been one of the West’s surprises, blending veteran scoring with young athleticism, while the Clippers—plagued by injuries and poor form—sit near the bottom of the standings. This is the second meeting of the 2025-26 season; the Rockets dominated the first on December 11, 115-113, in a close affair where Kevin Durant’s late three-pointer sealed the win. With LA’s roster depleted and Houston’s offense clicking at 115.2 PPG (top-10 league-wide), expect the Rockets to control the pace, though the Clippers’ home crowd could spark a gritty effort from stars like James Harden and Kawhi Leonard.
Venue Location
Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA. This 18,000-seat arena, the Clippers’ home since 2024, has been anything but a fortress this season, with LA posting a 4-10 record there and allowing 114.8 PPG to opponents.
Tipoff is scheduled for 10:30 PM ET (7:30 PM PT). The game will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock nationally, with local feeds on Space City Home Network (Rockets) and AM 570 KLAC (Clippers), plus radio on 790 AM / S: KLTN TUDN.
Injury Report
Both teams are dealing with significant absences, but the Clippers’ list is more extensive, further hampering their already struggling roster. Reports as of December 22 evening; final statuses may update closer to tip-off.
Houston Rockets:
Out: Fred VanVleet (torn ACL – out for the 2025-26 season), Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management – out indefinitely), Steven Adams (undisclosed – out since December 21).
Questionable/Probable: Dorian Finney-Smith (left ankle sprain – recently cleared and played in the December 21 loss to Sacramento, expected to suit up).
Notable Notes: VanVleet’s absence shifts playmaking to Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard, while Eason’s defensive void puts more pressure on Jabari Smith Jr. and Kevin Durant on the wings. The Rockets’ depth has held up, but frontcourt size could be tested without Adams.
Los Angeles Clippers:
Out: Bradley Beal (left hip fracture – out indefinitely), Ivica Zubac (right ankle sprain – expected return January 12), Derrick Jones Jr. (right knee sprain – out indefinitely), Yanic Konan Niederhauser (knee – game-time decision but likely out).
Questionable: None major reported, but Kawhi Leonard (load management – probable after playing December 20).
Notable Notes: Zubac’s absence leaves the paint vulnerable, forcing reliance on John Collins and Brook Lopez (if available). Beal’s scoring void amplifies pressure on Harden and Leonard, who are carrying heavy minutes amid the team’s 7-21 skid.
Player Matchups
Without Zubac and Beal, the Clippers lack size and secondary scoring, tilting key battles toward Houston’s athletic frontcourt and veteran wings. Expect the Rockets to exploit mismatches inside and on the perimeter.
Kevin Durant (HOU) vs. Kawhi Leonard (LAC): The star matchup features Durant (25.6 PPG, 51.5% FG, 6.8 RPG) against Leonard (25.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG). Durant’s efficiency and range (2.0 3PM) could pull Leonard out of position, while Leonard’s defense (1.6 SPG) aims to disrupt Houston’s offense. Durant dropped 28 in the December 11 win.
Alperen Sengun (HOU) vs. John Collins (LAC): Sengun (18.4 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 5.1 APG) dominates inside with Zubac out, facing Collins (15.8 PPG, 7.4 RPG). Sengun’s playmaking exploits LA’s 25th-ranked interior D (allowing 52.4 points in paint), potentially leading to easy buckets.
Amen Thompson (HOU) vs. James Harden (LAC): Thompson (14.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 3.1 SPG) brings energy on both ends, guarding Harden (25.8 PPG, 8.4 APG). Harden’s step-back threes test Thompson’s athleticism, but Houston’s top-5 defense (108.6 PPG allowed) could force turnovers.
Other Key Battles: Jabari Smith Jr. (HOU, 13.8 PPG, 7.2 RPG) vs. Nicolas Batum (LAC) – Smith’s shooting stretches the floor. Reed Sheppard (HOU rookie, bench spark) could exploit LA’s thin guards.
cbssports.com +1
Houston’s balance (five players averaging 12+ PPG) overwhelms LA’s injury-hit lineup.
Recent Team Forms
Houston enters with momentum despite a recent slip, while the Clippers snapped a five-game skid but remain inconsistent.
Houston Rockets (Last 5 Games):
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Dec 21 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 124-125 |
| Dec 20 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 114-120 |
| Dec 11 | vs. LA Clippers | W 115-113 |
| Dec 6 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 109-122 |
| Dec 5 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 117-98 |
Form: 2-3 in last 5, averaging 116.4 PPG while allowing 116.0. Close losses highlight fourth-quarter issues (e.g., blown lead vs. Kings), but wins show defensive prowess (held Suns to 98).
Los Angeles Clippers (Last 5 Games):
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Dec 20 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 103-88 |
| Dec 15 | vs. Memphis Grizzlies | L 110-116 |
| Dec 11 | @ Houston Rockets | L 113-115 |
| Dec 6 | vs. Sacramento Kings | L 109-114 |
| Dec 5 | @ Orlando Magic | L 105-106 |
Form: 1-4 in last 5, averaging 108.0 PPG while allowing 111.8. The Lakers win was a defensive standout (held LA to 88), but losses expose offensive woes (under 110 in four straight).
Series History
Houston leads the all-time series 129-92 in regular-season games (58.4% win rate). Recently, the Rockets are 5-5 in the last 10 meetings, including the December 11 win (115-113). The Clippers have won 4 of the last 6 at home vs. Houston, but the Rockets are 7-5 ATS in those games since 2019.
Betting Trends
Houston is 16-10 ATS overall and 8-6 ATS on the road. Clippers are 10-18 ATS and 3-11 ATS at home. Under is 4-1 in Clippers’ last 5 and 6-4 in series matchups. Over is 3-2 in Houston’s last 5 road games.
Rockets 7-3 ATS after a loss; Clippers 1-4 ATS as 8+ point underdogs. Houston is 6-2 ATS vs. West teams with losing records.
Game Odds
Houston Rockets – 7.5
Los Angeles Clippers 220.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 22, 2025
