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LA Clippers forward Danilo Gallinari could return Thursday vs Pacers

By Garrett Chorpenning

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 17: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts during the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on November 17, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 17: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts during the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on November 17, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) /
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LA Clippers forward Danilo Gallinari won’t return tonight against Charlotte, but there’s a chance he sees the floor Thursday in Indianapolis.

Forward Danilo Gallinari has missed the last nine games for the LA Clippers, and he’ll miss another tonight when the Clippers go up against the Charlotte Hornets. However, the streak may stop there.

According to the LA Times’ Andrew Greif, Gallinari could return on Thursday against the Indiana Pacers, assuming his recovery goes as expected. The Athletic’s Jovan Buha added that if Gallinari does return on Thursday, he’ll be back in his usual spot in the starting rotation.

It’s unknown if Gallinari will be on a minutes restriction when he returns, or who he’ll replace in the starting lineup. However, based on Doc Rivers‘ track record, it’s probably safe to assume that Avery Bradley would slide back to shooting guard, and Patrick Beverley would be sent back to the bench.

The LA Clippers have won five of their nine games in Gallinari’s absence, most of which have come against teams with records at or below .500. The Clippers have also played three back-to-backs while Gallinari has been out, including one in Toronto.

Gallinari has arguably had his best season to date this year with the Clippers, averaging 19.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game while shooting nearly 45 percent from three-point range. Prior to his most recent injury, he had played all but one game this season, a win over the Atlanta Hawks in November.

Among the members of the LA Clippers that have had to step up since the injury is Jerome Robinson, LA’s 13th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. He’s averaged 13.3 minutes per game since January 20, a significant change from the 5.3 minutes he was averaging at the beginning of the season.

Expect the same from him when the Clippers take on the Hornets tonight, but he may see his role disappear once Gallinari returns.

Gallinari was an important player for the Clippers in their last meeting with the Hornets, which took place in Los Angeles on January 8. The Clippers won, 128-109, behind 43 combined points from him and Tobias Harris.

Harris may need to be the player that steps up tonight against the Hornets. He’s been shaky ever since he suffered a shoulder strain against the Pistons, but he’s been cleared to go tonight. Hopefully, with Gallinari’s return, he’ll get a chance to rest or at least take on less of the workload.

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The LA Clippers will take the floor in Charlotte this evening at 4:00 PM PST. Gallinari won’t be with the team, but will meet them in Indianapolis with hopes of playing again.

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