Lue: Jackson to begin season as starting center

While Isaiah Jackson (six points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals, and one block in 28 minutes) earned the starting center role, his limited offensive skill set means Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue will continue to factor Lopez into his plans. Against the Lakers, the 7-foot-1 backup scored 15 points on 6-of-6 shooting in the first half on Friday. Lopez’s production tailed off after halftime, but his final line reminded everyone what he can do, even in a backup role.

Despite coming off the bench, Lopez played 27 minutes on Wednesday due to starting center Isaiah Jackson getting into foul trouble. The veteran 7-footer clearly still has something left in the tank, as he recorded a complete stat line that included a double-double. Jackson still hasn’t established himself as a center you can fully trust in fantasy basketball, which is a good reason to roster Lopez in deep leagues.

Jackson’s starting nod was expected to raise his fantasy ceiling, and he was productive Wednesday night. However, the Clippers’ center played just 15 minutes because of foul trouble. Backup Brook Lopez played 27 minutes, and that may not have happened if Jackson were able to stay on the court. Jackson is worth a look in 12-team leagues if he’s on the waiver wire, even with the foul trouble against Sacramento.

Dunn is good to go after missing most of the preseason with a minor injury, and he’ll start alongside Garland in the backcourt. Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue said on Saturday that Jackson would start at center, so his inclusion is unsurprising. Garland and Hachimura should lead the starters offensively.

Wednesday’s game was the Clippers’ last preseason game, so it’s fair to question how much of a “dress rehearsal” it was for Tyronn Lue’s team. Jackson started again and played 26 minutes, while veteran Brook Lopez (nine points, two rebounds, one assist and one three-pointer) logged eight minutes off the bench. If Jackson can lock down the starting job, his upside would make him worthy of late-round consideration in drafts. And even if he doesn’t start, the Clippers will be light on centers until Yanic Konan Niederhäuser is cleared to return from the foot injury that ended his 2025-26 season in March.

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.