Rowan Kavner
PLAYA VISTA, Calif. – Chris Paul is keeping the big picture in mind as he works his way back from a strained groin.
The Clippers play the currently undefeated reigning champion Warriors on Thursday for the second time this season, but they aren’t going to rush back Paul (groin) or J.J. Redick (back spasms) until they’re ready. At this point in the week, the status of both players is still up in the air.
Paul said he wants to play and he’s “definitely getting better,” but the Clippers had yet to determine as of Tuesday morning how much Paul would practice. Paul said it’s been tough sitting out, but his body will tell him the right thing to do.
“Obviously you need every game,” Paul said. “But it’s better to be ready in April, May and June than to be ready in November.”
Head coach Doc Rivers said he’d see what Paul and Redick are able to do Tuesday and go from there. Paul missed the Rockets game with the groin injury but returned against Memphis and Dallas before missing each of the last two games.
“I pushed it a little bit in the Dallas game,” Paul said. “I chased down a play right before the first half. But all in all, we have the team that’s capable. You don’t have to try to be a hero in November. We’ve got great guys, we’ve got Austin (Rivers), we’ve got Pablo (Prigioni).”
Paul said it was difficult watching the Suns game in that defeat, but the Clippers were able to pull out a shorthanded win Saturday, and now the four rest days come at an opportune time with players dealing with injuries.
Rivers said Redick, who’s missed each of the last two games, is feeling better and could play Thursday. But Rivers didn’t plan on Redick doing much in practice Tuesday.
The Clippers know they need to be careful with back injuries because of their propensity to pop back up.
“If it’s close, he’s not playing, I can tell you that,” Rivers said. “On a Thursday in the middle of the season, we’re not going to overdo this.”
As Rivers balances resting and testing his injured players, he’s taking it slowly. Rivers said if Paul can do skeleton work at full speed, he’ll be ramped up from there.
“I think when groins heal, they’re pretty much healed,” Rivers said. “The problem is it’s tough for them to fully heal. What we’re trying to do by giving Chris the week off is to try to really let him heal and see if we can do it that way.”
Rivers said as Paul has aged and matured, he’s gotten smarter about dealing with his injuries. It’s a little tougher to manage Redick’s back injury.
“A back can take a day and you feel great the next day, or it can take three days or it can take a month,” Rivers said. “The thing with the back, you always have it. It can always come back. When J.J. comes back and he’s healthy, it’s still around the corner. You always know that. That’s just the back. Once you hurt it, you have it.”
Road Trip
The Clippers had two days off after beating the Pistons on Saturday before practicing Tuesday.
So, how did Rivers spend that time?
“I go up mountains and drive,” Rivers said, in addition to watching film.
Rivers joked he spent the time driving to get away from the media, but he added that he actually did drive a ways away. He wouldn’t divulge where or how far he went.
“Really, I drive hours,” Rivers continued. “Wherever I end up, I check in a hotel. They say, ‘Hey, how are you doing? What’re you doing here?’ I do that, and sometimes I just sit at home and watch film. I did a little bit of both on this one.”