The Los Angeles Clippers head into their 2017 NBA Playoffs first round series against a tough opponent in the Utah Jazz. Some believe this could be the final run of the Clippers ‘big 3’ era given the upcoming potential free agency of Blake Griffin and Chris Paul but there is some hope for this team. They currently have one of the deepest benches in the Doc Rivers era. Rivers, the Clippers head coach, and team president, recently said nothing was going to distract his team heading into the playoffs. He might not be considering injuries to rotation players in that scenario.
Unfortunately, they’ll start the series without one of their most important pieces in Austin Rivers. Austin Rivers suffered a hamstring injury which ended his season a tad bit early and there was no clear answer on if he would be ready for the playoffs. But before the Clippers and Jazz tip-off on Saturday night, the Clippers doctor determined Austin would not only miss game 1 but game 2 also.
Doc Rivers says Austin Rivers out first 2 games of playoffs vs Jazz with left hamstring injury. Doc says Austin shot today for first time
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) April 16, 2017
Austin did take part in some pregame shooting but he was still declared to be out for the first pair of games.
Per Doc » Austin is out first 2 games of the series with a left hamstring injury. pic.twitter.com/wxfFl6OHIG
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) April 16, 2017
