Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard J.J. Redick has already missed time due to back spasms, and has now suffered a sprained ankle in a loss to the Indiana Pacers.
J.J. Redick is a vital player for the Los Angeles Clippers due to his perfect fit with the offense, stellar accuracy, and underrated defensive ability. This season has been a little rough for him so far, though, after he missed three games due to back problems and suffered a sprained right ankle after playing a mere 18 seconds in Wednesday night’s loss to the Indiana Pacers.
As he rose for a jump shot past point guard George Hill, he fell awkwardly on his ankle and didn’t re-enter the game after Doc Rivers tried to bring him back at half time.
Redick injury. https://t.co/PNjlXXyuVB
— Justin Russo (@FlyByKnite) December 3, 2015
It’s a tough blow for Redick after he’s started getting into a shooting rhythm after averaging 17.3 points on 50 percent shooting over his last three games. When he’s healthy, which should be the case shortly, his tireless off-ball movement and deadeye shooting can help improve the shaky start the Clippers have had from the perimeter. After ranking 3rd in the NBA in both made threes and three point percentage last season, they now rank in the bottom 10 in both categories.
However, Redick’s ankle sprain shouldn’t cause too much concern. Per Dan Woike of the Orange County Register, Doc Rivers doesn’t think it’s too bad.
Doc said he doesn't think Redick's ankle "is awful." He was unable to play in the 2nd half after trying to re-enter the game at halftime
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) December 3, 2015
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Thankfully for Redick, he didn’t deal with any contact while he suffered the sprain. No one stepped on his ankle as he fell and he didn’t collide with another player to apply more pressure to his ankle hitting the court, so it shouldn’t be too serious even if he is forced to miss the Clippers’ upcoming game on Saturday. Ideally, he won’t be out any longer if the team want to continue their improvement of three straight wins before losing to the Pacers.
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Without Chris Paul due to a rib injury and the loss of Redick after less than a minute, the Pacers took advantage Wednesday night and won 103-91. Paul George had another exceptional game as he continues a remarkable comeback season with 31 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, three steals and five threes, and the Clippers’ 38 percent shooting let them down. Plus, with an uncharacteristic 6-of-18 shooting night from Blake Griffin, they just didn’t have enough.
One positive, though, was the play of Lance Stephenson. He attacked the rim well, made a couple of nice passes, and had the best game of his career since arriving in L.A. with 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting (3-of-4 from three). That’s the kind of offensive spark and energy Doc envisioned him having when he made the trade with Charlotte this summer.
Now, as the Clippers look ahead to Saturday’s contest against the Orland Magic, they may need to prepare for no Paul and Redick. Maybe if Stephenson can step up again and Griffin returns to his usual self, they can earn another win and stay above .500.