The Los Angeles Clippers are one of the leading teams in the Western Conference but will have to play the next six to eight weeks without their starting shooting guard J.J. Redick after it was announced that he suffered a fracture in his right hand.
According to ESPN.com, Reddick suffered the injury during the Clippers' 104-98 win over the Sacramento Kings on Friday, November 29.
Clippers coach Doc Rivers said of the injury: "It takes out something that's been huge for us offensively. J.J.'s movement is often an often in itself. He's one of those guys when he goes out it changes a lot of what we do. We're going to have to do it on the run we don't have a lot of time to prepare. ... We just have to find another way." Rivers said that in place of Redick, swingman Willie Green will get the starting shooting guard job.
Redick appeared optimistic on his recovery, saying: "It's still swollen and there's some pain in there but I'll be fine. I have enjoyed these 17 games that I got to play in immensely. I love this team and I love playing for Doc so it's very frustrating, but I'm an optimistic person. Mentally I'll be fine. ... A couple of the coaches said it will be like we traded for somebody right before the All-Star break. I'm hoping to have five more months of basketball to play this season."
The Clippers also have Matt Barnes on the injured list after suffering a retinal tear in his left eye. He has undergone surgery and will miss two more weeks.
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