LA Clippers chez Washington Wizards

It's a tough break for Miller, who had an opportunity to battle for a reserve role during training camp in the fall. The timeline for a return is likely to keep him on the shelf until after the All-Star break. Miller's extended stay on the sidelines gives Kobe Sanders a chance to crack the Clippers' rotation.

The Clippers learned about the injury this summer, though it's unclear exactly how far along Ingram is in his recovery. The star forward's timeline for a return is unclear, clouding his fantasy outlook in the meantime. Darius Garland should take on all the usage he can handle in Ingram's stead, while Kris Dunn and Max Strus could have additional streaming appeal early in the year.

Niederhauser is progressing from March surgery but won't be able to suit up to begin the year. The Clippers are likely to take a cautious approach with the 2025 first-rounder. Isaiah Jackson should occupy the backup center spot behind Brook Lopez early in the campaign.

It's unclear when Sanders began dealing with the hip issue, though it'll keep him out of the Clippers' preseason opener. He will also be limited to individual work during Saturday's practice, per Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com. Sanders' next opportunity to suit up during the preseason will come next Saturday against the Raptors.

While Beal has recovered from hip surgery that cost him nearly all of last year, he's now dealing with knee inflammation. His status is in doubt for the preseason opener Sunday against the Warriors, but the veteran swingman's regular-season status doesn't sound to be in serious danger for now.

Sarr has been limited in training camp thus far while working his way back from surgery he underwent in mid-June to repair a fractured right foot. The big man is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season, though it's unclear how active he'll be during the preseason. Over 48 regular-season games in 2025-26, he averaged 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.0 blocks and 0.8 steals in 27.2 minutes per contest.

Watkins, a two-way player for the Wizards, suffered the injury during the Summer League. Although Washington has yet to offer a timetable for a return, a typical recovery time for the procedure is approximately 9-to-12 months. That leaves Watkins in serious jeopardy of missing most, if not all, of the 2026-27 season, and it remains to be seen if the team will continue keeping him around on a two-way roster spot while he's injured.

Although the big man will remain a limited participant in training camp as he continues his rehab from a hip impingement, it sounds like his absence from game action will extend into the regular season. Deandre Ayton should have the backup center role all to himself until Vukcevic is cleared to retake the floor.