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Luc Mbah a Moute, Wilson Chandler expected to return after All-Star break

By Garrett Chorpenning

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 19: Los Angeles Clippers Forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) looks on during a NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers on October 19, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 19: Los Angeles Clippers Forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) looks on during a NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers on October 19, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Injuries have kept the LA Clippers forwards off the floor for a majority of the season, but it seems Luc Mbah a Moute and Wilson Chandler will return soon.

The LA Clippers, as a group, have been very fortunate this season when it comes to injuries. For the most part, they’ve been few and far between — even Danilo Gallinari, one of the league’s most injury-prone players, has only missed 11 games this season.

Unfortunately, the same hasn’t been true for Luc Mbah a Moute, who has played just four games so far this season for Los Angeles. He’s been day-to-day for a majority of the year, and according to Basketball-Reference, there was no timetable for his return as of January 31.

The same can be said for Wilson Chandler, just not to the same degree. His health could be described as streaky at best, playing just 36 games to this point — and none yet with the LA Clippers. Acquired in the Tobias Harris deal, Chandler has been dealing with a recurring quad injury almost all season long, and has struggled to maintain some consistency on the court.

However, that could all be coming to an end fairly soon. According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, both Mbah a Moute and Chandler are expected to return to practice shortly after the All-Star break comes to an end.

It’ll likely take some time before the two return to form, but both forwards could bring some much-needed defensive versatility to the rotation.

Mbah a Moute and Chandler are both capable of defending multiple positions, and the two could complement each other nicely on the floor. Chandler is arguably more polished offensively, while Mbah a Moute is known mostly for his ability to defend any position — and defend it well.

It’s likely that Chandler returns before Mbah a Moute does, though it’s unknown if he’ll start immediately upon his return. LA hasn’t stuck with just one starting rotation since the trade deadline, and most recently swapped Landry Shamet into the starring lineup in place of Garrett Temple. Depending on the opponent, that may continue to happen — meaning Chandler might not consistently be the starter or come off the bench.

Mbah a Moute is an even bigger question mark. He didn’t start in any of the four games he played in to begin the season, but since the Clippers still had Harris back then, there wasn’t a place for him in that group. Regardless, it should still be a while before he’s playing his regular minutes again.

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The LA Clippers will play their next game this Friday, a road game against the Memphis Grizzlies. They’ll play one more home game this month on Monday before beginning a six-game home stand in the middle of March.