The Clippers have their scrappy, defensive-minded point guard back. Via the OC Register:
“Super-fired up!” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said before Wednesday’s game in Minneapolis, where Beverley made his return to action after missing eight games with right knee soreness. “That’s what me and the coaches were just talking about – he’s excited to be back, and we’re happy to have him.”
Beverley started in his return Wednesday, joining a lineup that was short superstar Paul George (bone edema right toe) but still featured Reggie Jackson, who’d been starting in Beverley’s place.
Following four days of pain-free on-court workouts, Beverley was cleared to play Wednesday, said Lue, who noted that the 32-year-old would be on a minutes limit, the specifics of which he declined to detail.
Without Beverley these past couple of weeks, the Clippers went 4-4 and their defensive rating in that span slipped to 112.2, a couple of ticks above what it was – 110.1 – before that.
The Clippers have one of the league’s best offenses this season, but have been merely average on defense. Getting Pat Bev back clearly should help there.
