Clippers’ Chris Paul keeps working out, but return is up in the air
MILWAUKEE — Chris Paul got in a good, strong workout before the Clippers played the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night.
Paul got in a good sweat shooting jumpers and runners. He got in a good sweat running up and down the court after he shot.
But Paul still is a ways away from playing because of a separated right shoulder.
The original timetable had Paul out up to six weeks, meaning he would be out another three weeks, returning sometime in mid-February.
“No one said there were any changes or a deadline or anything,” Coach Doc Rivers said. “But he feels great. I still think it’s All-Star break, in that area. I don’t think that changed.
“But he feels good. I know he’s shooting a little bit now. The fact that he can run and do the conditioning is great. But other than that, it still has to heal.”
Rivers said the final decision on when Paul will return will be up to the Clippers’ team doctors and head athletic trainer Jasen Powell.
And, Rivers said, Paul won’t be able to say he’s ready until he’s fully healed.
“On this one, this is one of those injuries where no matter how he feels, you still have to let it heal,” Rivers said.
The Clippers improved to 10-3 this season when Paul has been out injured.
Roster spot is open
Now that they are down to 14 players and have an open roster spot, Rivers said he’s not looking to add another player right away.
Rivers said he’ll talk to his other front-office staff members when the Clippers return home Tuesday before making a decision.
The Clippers didn’t sign point guard Darius Morris to a contract after his second 10-day deal expired Saturday night.
“We may add a player, but I don’t know if it’s any time soon. ... But there’s nothing imminent that we’re like looking at,” Rivers said.
Rivers said the decision on whether to add another player will be based on how the backcourt comes along with its injuries.
Point guard Darren Collison is playing with a sprained left big toe and shooting guard J.J. Redick has played with back spasms and is dealing with a bruised left knee and sore right shoulder.
“It’s really tied to J.J. and D.C. [if] they look like they can’t play a lot or we have to start limiting their minutes,” Rivers said. “Then we’re going to have to need another guard.”
DeAndre Jordan keeps hitting the boards
After getting 18 more rebounds against the Bucks, DeAndre Jordan finished off the trip the right way.
Jordan averaged 16.4 points per game over the seven-game trip, his low being 11 at Indiana and his high being 21 at Detroit.
Twitter: @BA_Turner
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