The Clippers expect to be without guard Austin Rivers for the remainder of the regular season and perhaps part of the playoffs, coach Doc Rivers suggested before the team’s 115-104 win over the Lakers on Sunday (AEDT).
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At 47-31, the Clippers are in fifth place in the Western Conference, a game back of the Jazz (47-29) ahead of today's action.
Per ESPN.com, Doc Rivers said his son’s strained left hamstring, sustained during Wednesday’s game against the Wizards, is “a little more serious (than initially believed)."
The coach characterized Austin’s chances of being ready for the playoffs as “50-50.”
“I’m disappointed,” Austin said, according to the L.A Times. “I was looking forward to this year’s playoffs. The goal (to return) was game one of the playoffs, but it’s looking like hopefully midfirst round, early second round. We’ll see. You never know, I might heal faster than I think so. …
“It’s not that serious, serious of an injury. It’s just bad timing.”
The NBA playoffs tip off April 15.