PLAYA DEL REY >> As he moved around the court and hoisted shots on Monday, Clippers guard Austin Rivers appeared comfortable after previously missing the last 11 games because of a left hamstring injury. Rivers also represented the latest wrinkle surrounding the Clippers’ 2-2 series tie entering Game 5 against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday at Staples Center.
“I think he’s going to play, at least that’s what we think right now,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. “The problem is they’re going to put a severe minutes restriction.”
Doc Rivers said Clippers trainer Jason Powell originally tabbed Austin playing only 12 minutes. Doc Rivers said that will likely increase, though, depending on Austin’s progression leading up to tipoff. The Clippers had only a film session and a light walk-through in favor of practice on Monday. But Austin Rivers passed a series of running and on-court drills to receive clearance to play.
After answering numerous question marks about his left hamstring, Austin Rivers currently faces a new unanswered question. What can he provide in Game 5?
“I don’t know what we expect,” Doc Rivers said. “At least we have another body. I don’t look at him returning being what he was right before he left. If he’s that, I’ll be shocked. At least we have another warm body and that’s nice.”
After all, Clippers forward Blake Griffin nursed a postseason ending injury to his right toe in Game 3. During Austin Rivers’ absence, Doc Rivers had noted how the Clippers suffered both defensively and in attacking the basket. Austin Rivers has also averaged 12 points on 44.1 percent shooting and 2.8 rebounds in 27.8 minutes off the bench. That presence could ease Chris Paul’s workload and compensate for J.J. Redick’s postseason shooting struggles (a combined 10-of-29 clip through four playoff games).
“If he gave us a couple of good minutes, I’m good with that,” Doc Rivers said of Austin. “The key for him is not to try to come and get back. His dribble penetration has been huge for us this year and I don’t even know if he can do that. But not trying to do too much of it, it’s tough with your ball handling when you come back. So we’ll see. At least we have him back.”
With his son back, Doc Rivers sounded somewhat conflicted on how he would handle the team’s shootaround on Tuesday.
“It would be smart to do it in the morning only for Austin because he gets to actually run an offense with five guys,” Doc Rivers said. “He hasn’t done that in a month. But we probably won’t.”
That’s because Doc Rivers is mindful of keeping his veteran-laden team well rested before Game 5, something that might bode more importance than helping Austin Rivers’ comfort level with both shedding off rustiness and learning some new sets.
“So he’s just going to have to go out and play,” Doc Rivers said of Austin. “Hopefully he remembers the sets and we play. That’s probably what we’re going to do.”
