SAN ANTONIO – The Spurs are expected to get a key player back as the NBA regular season resumes tonight in Los Angeles.
The Spurs are on the West Coast for the final part of the Rodeo Road Trip and Pau Gasol is expected to play against the Clippers. He is officially listed as probable for Friday night's game.
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Gasol broke a bone on his left hand on Jan. 19 during pregame warmups.
David Lee and Dwayne Dedmon have filled in for Gasol, and the Spurs have gone 11-4 without him in the lineup.
San Antonio is currently in second place in the Western Conference standings with 26 games remaining in the regular season.
San Antonio has won seven of its past nine games and is aiming to stay within close range of Golden State.
The Spurs are 4-2 on the rodeo trip and the excursion ends with Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
INJURY REPORT - Pau Gasol (fracture, left fourth metacarpal) is probable for tomorrow night’s Spurs-Clippers game.
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) February 23, 2017
The Clippers have averaged 111 points while winning by an average of 14.5 points in the first two meetings but Friday's encounter likely will be the first one without point guard Chris Paul.
Paul injured his left thumb against Oklahoma City on Jan. 16, but was cleared to return to practice earlier this week.
He didn't play in Thursday's 123-113 loss to Golden State.
TV: 9:30 p.m. CT, ESPN
ABOUT THE SPURS (43-13): San Antonio didn't make a move prior to Thursday's NBA trade deadline, which is exactly what All-Star small forward Kawhi Leonard urged leading up to Thursday.
"I think we're doing good right now," Leonard told reporters prior to the deadline. "It's all about team chemistry. You've always got to figure out the best way for you and your team, but I think we're doing a good job right now."
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (35-22): Paul is doubtful to play against the Spurs as coach Doc Rivers feels Sunday's game against the Charlotte Hornets rates as a more likely date for his return.
"He's really close," Rivers told reporters. "He looked good the last two days (in practice) but I thought he was a little hesitant."
Los Angeles draws San Antonio one night after visiting Golden State and being torched for 50 third-quarter points while watching a 12-point halftime advantage evaporate.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Clippers have won five of the past seven regular-season meetings.
2. Los Angeles PF Blake Griffin was just 3-of-13 shooting for 12 points against the Warriors and failed to reach 20 points for the second straight game, following a stretch in which he rattled off eight such outings.
3. San Antonio backup SG Manu Ginobili (ankle) expects to play against the Clippers.