Isaiah Jackson starts preseason finale vs. Denver

The 7-foot-5 Sharp gets a more secure opportunity to compete when the Clippers open training camp in late September. That’s a far cry from his two training camps with the Mavericks, as he was on Exhibit 10 contracts before being waived ahead of the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons. In his two seasons with the G League’s Texas Legends, Sharp averaged 7.3 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game. Depending on Yanic Konan Niederhäuser’s recovery from a Lisfranc injury that ended his rookie campaign in March, there may be a few opportunities for Sharp to contribute early next season. He certainly isn’t a must-draft player in redraft leagues, but dynasty league managers should keep an eye on the athletic shot blocker.

Jackson will be good to go, making this his first appearance since March 27. He has typically filled out the backup center minutes behind Brook Lopez, but in an elimination game, the rotations could look different, especially since it has been nearly three weeks since Jackson last suited up.

Jackson has been sidelined since March 27, but after practicing fully on Tuesday, he is now expected to make his return for the Clippers’ win-or-go-home matchup with the Warriors. He’ll likely occupy some of the backup center minutes behind Brook Lopez.

Jackson has been out since spraining his ankle during a March 27 win over the Pacers, leaving the Clippers without a legitimate backup center. John Collins has filled the void in Jackson’s absence and would continue to do so if he can’t return for Wednesday’s Play-In Tournament game against the Warriors.

With no Kawhi Leonard (ankle), Collins returned to the Clippers’ starting lineup after coming off the bench in three of the previous four games. He finished one rebound shy of a double-double against the Warriors, but Collins produced nothing else in his 21 minutes on the floor. Leonard will be available for Wednesday’s rematch with the Warriors, which would relegate Collins to the backup center role he’s been asked to assume since Isaiah Jackson went down.

Jackson has been out since March 27, and he will remain out for Sunday’s season finale. John Collins has served as the backup center, a role that eventually prompted Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue to move him to the bench. With Kawhi Leonard (ankle) questionable, Collins’ opportunities may increase on Sunday.

Collins has reached double figures in three consecutive games, a solid run for a player who totaled 13 points in the three games prior. However, his point total has decreased in each of the Clippers’ last three games. And his production took on added importance when Isaiah Jackson went down with a high ankle sprain. The backup center minutes now belong to Collins, resulting in his and Brook Lopez’s (six points, six rebounds, three assists and one block) minutes being staggered more than before Jackson’s injury. Jackson will be re-evaluated in one week, which means Collins will continue to have added importance.

Jackson suffered a high right ankle sprain during the Clippers’ March 27 win over the Pacers and has not played since. Given the timeline the team provided on Thursday, he isn’t guaranteed to return before the end of the regular season. John Collins has served as the center when Brook Lopez is off the floor and should continue to take on those responsibilities while remaining part of the starting lineup.

It has been a largely unproductive season for Lopez, but he has started at center in every game since Ivica Zubac suited up for the last time as a Clipper, and he has been productive, especially recently. He has 16 blocks over his last five games and has scored in double figures in all but one of those. Lopez has provided fifth-round value over the past two weeks, and they’ll need him to stay productive in Thursday’s game against the Spurs.

Jackson will miss a second consecutive game after spraining his right ankle during Friday’s win over the Pacers. As a result, the Clippers will go small when starting center Brook Lopez is off the floor, which means more responsibility for John Collins.