Clippers rookie Keaton Wagler makes regular season debut

LOS ANGELES - Keaton Wagler made his regular-season debut for the Los Angeles Clippers during the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings at the Intuit Dome on Wednesday, Oct. 21.

Wagler came off the bench and finished with 15 points, five assists and five rebounds. He was 4-for-8 from the field and 3-for-6 from the 3-point line.

The 19-year-old became the second-youngest player in league history, behind LeBron James, to have at least 15 points, five assists and five rebounds while shooting at least 50% from the floor in his debut, according to the team.

Wagler was the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft out of Illinois and is expected to be a promising prospect for the franchise.

While there’s an expectation that it will be an underwhelming season for the Clippers, it will allow for a rookie like Wagler to gain valuable playing time and experience.

The rookie checked into the game with 4:29 left in the first quarter. He managed to get involved early, being credited with an assist after a 26-foot 3-pointer made by Derrick Jones Jr. with 4:15 left in the first frame.

Wagler scored his first regular season career points with a driving jump off an assists from Kobe Sanders that helped give the Clippers a 30-17 lead with 3:40 left in the quarter.

"He's already shown he is mature and he doesn't get rattled after just being around him for the last few months, whether he is making or missing shots," Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said before Wagler's debut. "He is always the same."

Wagler followed up his first career basket with a 26-foot running pull-up 3-pointer, helping the Clippers build a 41-26 lead with 48 seconds left in the first quarter.

First career NBA points for Keaton Wagler! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/NfU5056XVu

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) October 22, 2026

• Points: 15
• FG: 4-for-8
• 3PT: 3-for-6
• Rebounds: 5
• Assists: 5
• Steals: 2
• Blocks: 0
• Turnovers: 1
• Fouls: 1
• Minutes: 29

Clippers rookie Keaton Wagler talked about his regular-season debut, Darius Garland’s performance and the fans at Intuit Dome. pic.twitter.com/UusW1YAepm

— James H. Williams (@JHWill) October 22, 2026

The consensus All-American averaged 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists during his only college season with the Fighting Illini.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Clippers rookie Keaton Wagler makes regular season debut