The LA Clippers may have only played three preseason games, but the team is already suffering from multiple injuries.
Would it be Clippers’ basketball without injuries? It is only three games into the preseason, yet the LA Clippers have injuries to several players, including two of their projected starters. Danilo Gallinari and Austin Rivers both missed Sunday’s game due to injury. Gallinari is suffering from a sprained left foot, while Austin is still rehabbing his strained right glute.
Doc Rivers commented on the team’s early injury woes:
"“It’s not great, especially when you have a lot of new guys and you’re putting in new stuff. But you can’t do anything about it so I’m not going to sit and worry about it. We’ve just got to teach everybody else.”"
Danilo Gallinari
Gallinari has often been knocked during his career for his proneness to injury, having only played over 70 games twice during his nine years in the league. The early injury to his foot is not a good sign, as he was just able to get back on the court after breaking his hand over the summer. Gallo is the offensive small forward that the LA Clippers have needed, but he will have to be available to justify adding him to the roster.
Related Story: The backup small forward battle
Austin Rivers
Meanwhile, Austin Rivers has only seen one game of preseason action. Rivers is projected to be the starting two guard, but hasn’t been able to get much run on the court. There is no timetable for Rivers’ return, but his defense will be needed as the Clippers have looked rather porous on that end in their two losses.
Others
As for the other injuries, Sam Dekker missed Sunday’s game with an oblique strain, while Milos Teodosic dislocated his pink finger. Luckily, the latter wasn’t serious and Milos was able to return to the game and knock down shots. Still, any injury is not a good thing, especially for a team who added nine new players during the offseason. Everyone will need to get healthy quickly so that they can build chemistry with each other.
The LA Clippers only have two preseason games remaining. Their next outing will be Thursday against the Sacramento Kings, followed by a game against the Lakers on Friday. Almost a week after that, they will again face the Lakers in the regular season opener. Hopefully most of the team will be ready to go.