PLAYA VISTA, Calif. -- After being sidelined with a left quad contusion for two weeks, Los Angeles Clippers guard J.J. Redick has returned to practice and is expected to play in the preseason game against the Sacramento Kings on Friday.
"My assumption is Friday would be a go," Redick said Tuesday. "There might be some minutes restrictions but there was no residual soreness from yesterday so I should be a go."
Clippers coach Doc Rivers said there's a chance Redick could play in Wednesday's preseason game against the Utah Jazz if he feels he can but Friday is more likely.
"It depends on how his body reacts," Rivers said. "We'll see."
Redick said he suffered the contusion on the first day of training camp and during the last practice of training camp it got to the point that he couldn't play. An MRI actually revealed a partial tear of the muscle.
"It wasn't serious but significant enough where two weeks of rest was the required time off," Redick said. "It wasn't just a thigh bruise. I probably would have been able to play through that."
He was signed and traded to the Clippers in July in a three-team deal and is projected to start in the backcourt alongside Chris Paul.
Redick's biggest issue with being sidelined is missing time to get comfortable with his new teammates and players.
"I think the frustrating part is not being part of the process and not getting to take every step with your teammates," Redick said. "It's one thing to sit out a couple games during the season, here and there, 30-40 games in. But training camp and the first two months of the season is when you get accustomed to a new situation, but there's nothing you can do about it. Injuries are a part of it."
