In the midst of a
season-worst four-game losing steak, the Clippers got some good news: Veteran
guard Chauncey Billups will be in uniform and is expected to play Wednesday
night against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center.
Billups, 36, hasn’t
played since Feb. 6 last season when he sustained a torn left Achilles tendon
in a game at Orlando that ended his season. He started 20 games and averaged
14.9 points and 4.0 assists.
The team did not say
whether Billups will start against the Timberwolves, but coach Vinny Del Negro
said this week that Billups had participated in
full-court, three-on-three scrimmages during recent practices, so it was clear
he was close.
The team hasn’t been
forthcoming about Billups’ return, but he was expected back at some point in
November or December.
He’s essentially been an
extra coach for Del Negro, sitting with the team’s other coaches and offering
advice and suggestions to Paul and guard Eric Bledsoe.
In a statement, Del
Negro said: “We are all excited to have Chauncey back. I know how hard he has
worked to get to this point and we are looking forward to incorporating him
into the lineup.”
