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LA Clippers guard Landry Shamet could “miss a couple of games” with injury

By Garrett Chorpenning

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 8: Landry Shamet #20 of the LA Clippers looks on during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 8, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 8: Landry Shamet #20 of the LA Clippers looks on during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 8, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LA Clippers guard Landry Shamet went down with an ankle injury in Sunday’s game vs the New York Knicks, and it could keep him out for a few games.

Early in the third quarter of the LA Clippers’ Sunday morning matchup with the New York Knicks, guard Landry Shamet went down with an apparent ankle injury that eventually sidelined him for the rest of the game.

According to Head Coach Doc Rivers, the rookie may miss the next few games as well.

After the game was over, Rivers addressed the media in regards to Shamet’s injury, saying the following per Tomer Azarly:

"“They told me to tell you guys he has an ankle impingement. I don’t know what that is, but I don’t think that’s something that’s gonna keep him out a long time. It may keep him out a couple games. They didn’t tell me that, I’m just assuming that. I thought it was a lot worse when he went down because he grabbed the back of his ankle. You know what that means, so that scared the heck out of me.”"

Rivers didn’t seem sure of Shamet’s timetable for return, but due to his low level of concern, the injury isn’t something that fans should worry about as the LA Clippers continue to push for a playoff spot. As of now, nothing has been ruled out as to whether or not he can play again on this road trip, according to the LA Times’ Andrew Greif.

Prior to his injury on Sunday, Shamet had started in 16 consecutive games for the LA Clippers — four times the amount of games he started as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers.

He’s been a vital part of the Clippers’ new starting rotation, averaging nearly 11 points per game on 43.6 percent shooting from three-point range since the All-Star break. Over that same amount of time, LA has won 12 of its last 15 games, including two separate five-game winning streaks.

The Clippers have taken down some of the league’s better teams in that span as well, including the Sacramento Kings, Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers. Shamet has scored in double figures in eight of those contests.

If the Clippers don’t have Shamet for Tuesday night’s meeting with the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are missing more than a few players of their own, his next chance to return will be Thursday against the Milwaukee Bucks.

For the time being, LA may look to Garrett Temple or Tyrone Wallace to start in Shamet’s place. Temple started at small forward in his first two games with the Clippers, and Wallace has played the same position off the bench this season. The Clippers could also look to Wilson Chandler to start a few games, but his inconsistent play since joining the team may keep him with the bench unit.

The Clippers could also insert Jerome Robinson into Shamet’s spot, now that the Agua Caliente Clippers’ season has come to a close, falling just short of a playoff berth. His game is the most similar to Shamet’s, and he’s been getting plenty of run lately in the G-League. This seems unlikely though, as Robinson will probably remain out of the rotation.

Next. Why JaMychal Green, Garrett Temple have been great additions. dark

Whether or not Shamet will return on this road trip is yet to be seen, but the LA Clippers should be able to count on his return before too long, and almost certainly before the playoffs begin in April. Stay tuned to Clipperholics on Twitter for updates regarding Shamet’s recovery.