Washington Wizards at LA Clippers on Friday, January 22 looks like a mismatch on paper. Our ratings give the Clippers about a 87% chance, and the Wizards would need an unusual night to change that.
Why the gap is wide
The Win Meter reads the Clippers 87%, with a projected score of Washington Wizards 108, LA Clippers 120. The rating gap is 226 points in favor of the Clippers, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Clippers on top of that.
A reading this high has real meaning, but upsets of this size happen. Nearly one game in 8 like it goes the other way.
Recent form
The Wizards are 2-1 this season and 2-3 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -6. The Clippers are 1-1 this season and 2-3 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -0.4.
The Wizards were beaten 140-117 at home by MIA not long ago.
The Clippers' best recent win was 121-96 at home against SAC.
The Clippers were beaten 116-97 on the road by POR not long ago.
Injuries to watch
Out: Tristan Vukcevic (WAS), expected back Nov 2, 2026, Jamir Watkins (WAS), expected back Apr 2, 2027, AJ Dybantsa (WAS), expected back Oct 26, 2026, Bradley Beal (LAC), expected back Nov 8, 2026, and Max Strus (LAC), expected back Nov 8, 2026.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Clippers lead 4-0, with the Clippers outscoring the Wizards by an average of 15 points per game. The last meeting was LAC 110, WAS 106.