The L.A. Clippers will get forward Danilo Gallinari back on the floor tonight after missing 25 games with a left glute injury, according to Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.
The Clippers have been marred with injuries this season and have only had their starting small forward for 11 of the 49 games played this season. With the recent trade bringing Tobias Harris and Avery Bradley to L.A. in exchange for Blake Griffin, it remains to be seen whether the team opts to keep Gallo as a starter at small forward or play Harris in his natural position.
Head coach Doc Rivers is expected to monitor his minutes, as he gears into midseason shape.
The Italian marksman has had a rough start to his season, not only battling injuries, but averaging the fewest points since his rookie season with 13.4 per game, shooting an awful 34.5 percent from the floor and 25.8 from the 3-point line — his area of expertise.
Gallo was brought to the Clippers as part of a three-team trade with the Denver Nuggets and the Atlanta Hawks this offseason, but will now likely have to battle for a starting job against the surging Harris, who is having his best season in the league — or move to the power forward position.
The Clippers are not done making moves in this trade deadline, as they have been rumored to want to deal center DeAndre Jordan and sixth man extraordinaire Lou Williams prior to the Feb. 8 trade deadline. L.A. is currently 25-24 on the season, half a game away from the eighth seed in the West.
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