Spencer Hawes using time off to rehabilitate foot injury

The Clippers have had some extended time off, something Spencer Hawes greatly appreciates.

“I think it couldn’t have come at a better time for my situation,” Hawes said.

Hawes has a strained left foot, which he aggravated against the Golden State Warriors last week. After playing Monday, the Clippers had practice off Tuesday and Wednesday. Hawes sat out Thursday, too, and said he intends to have a light workout during Friday’s practice.

“I don’t know how much I’ll do, but get back out there, get a little rhythm and hopefully it will respond well,” he said.

Hawes is averaging 6.4 points and 3.7 rebounds in 17 minutes per game, well below his career average of 9.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 24.8 minutes.

Hawes said his foot has been bothering him for about three weeks. After he aggravated it against the Warriors, he was placed on a minute restriction, about 15 a game.

“Everyday I kind of come in and see if I can throw my boot away and try and lobby for the time limit to be a thing of the past,” he said.

Hawes said his foot generally feels fine when he’s walking around, but when he’s running and puts pressure on his toes, he said he feels pain.

“When I push off of that toe, that’s when I feel it going down the foot a little bit,” he said.

In addition to dealing with his injury, Hawes is also going through another adjustment -- learning how to be effective coming off the bench.

Hawes acknowledged that it’s been a challenging transition.

“Still kind of getting use to it, trying to figure out the change of mind set, preparation and all that kind of stuff coming in off the bench vs. starting it off,” he said. “I kind of talk to Jamal [Crawford] about it, pick his brain and I will continue to do so to figure out how I can be more effective in that position.”

Crawford, the reigning sixth man of the year, has mastered how to be effective as a reserve. His advice, according to Hawes?

“He said you just have to really have the mind set of hitting the ground running and coming out more aggressive,” Hawes said. “You don’t really have the luxury of being able to work yourself into the game.”