LOS ANGELES -- Don't look for Chris Paul to return to the Clippers' lineup this week.
Next week, maybe.
Clippers coach Doc Rivers said Paul took part in some one-on-one contact drills Wednesday morning, but he's still a few days away from returning after missing the past 16 games because of a right shoulder separation.
"He did some one-on-ones today and looked pretty good, so I think he's very close," Rivers said before the Clippers faced the Miami Heat at Staples Center. "I don't want to give a day. I don't think he'll play Friday, but he could play after that. But I don't know that."
The Clippers meet the Toronto Raptors on Friday night, then face the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night.
In Paul's absence, the Clippers are 11-5.
On another front, shooting guard J.J. Redick was scratched from the starting lineup because of an injury to his right hip. Jamal Crawford was the expected starter.
Redick has suffered through a number of injuries this season, including a fracture in his right hand and a torn ligament in his right wrist. He has appeared in 30 of the Clippers' 51 games.
"I pulled him out of shoot-around today," Rivers said. "He just didn't look like he could go."
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