Backup guards Jamal Crawford and Eric Bledsoe were scratches for the Clippers on Tuesday night against the Charlotte Bobcats, but for different reasons.
Crawford flew home to Seattle and remained there after the birth of his daughter, London Faith, on Monday morning.
Bledsoe was bothered by soreness in his left calf, which he hurt last Thursday night against the San Antonio Spurs. Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said the injury worsened Saturday night against Utah.
“It’s irritating him, and those can be dangerous,” Del Negro said. “He’s feeling better today, which is good. I don’t want to push it right now with back-to-back games coming up. Hopefully we can get him back soon.”
The Clippers play two road games in two nights, facing the Indiana Pacers on Thursday and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.
The absence of Crawford and Bledsoe means starters Chris Paul and Chauncey Billups will probably play more minutes against the Bobcats, and Willie Green and possibly Matt Barnes will be used in the backcourt.
“We’ll just figure it out as we go,” Del Negro said. “We’ll mix and match as best we can.”
