With Danny Granger’s jump shot missing, Clippers in need of depth

Danny Granger became almost an afterthought for Coach Doc Rivers and the Clippers in the team’s first-round series against the Golden State Warriors.

If he can find his jump shot, Granger could play a significant role in the second round as the Clippers try to get past the Oklahoma City Thunder, which tied the series with a victory in Game 2 on Wednesday.

Granger scored 15 points in Game 2 against Golden State, but also fouled out after playing only 18 minutes. He went scoreless over the next five games, logging just 39 minutes combined.

Rivers has given Granger another look through two games against the Thunder, playing him 16 minutes in the opener and 13 in Game 2.

At 6 feet 9, Granger has the size and ability to defend Thunder forwards Kevin Durant and Caron Butler, but the absent offense is an issue.

Since his six-for-10 shooting performance against the Warriors in Game 2, Granger has made only one of 15 shots from the field.

That’s a far cry from the 42.9% he shot through 12 regular-season games with the Clippers, and his 43.5% career mark in nine seasons.

Making matters worse for Rivers and the Clippers, fellow reserve swingman Jared Dudley is shooting only 25% from the field through five postseason games. That’s somehow worse than Granger’s 25.8%.

With forward Hedo Turkoglu sidelined with a back injury, the Clippers are suddenly hurting for depth.

A resurgent Granger would be a significant boost as the Clippers work to get past a dynamic Thunder squad.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.