While they've done an excellent job of doing so all season long, the LA Clippers are starting to struggle to stay afloat in the Western Conference playoff race as they're now two games behind the Minnesota Timberwolves for the eighth and final playoff spot with just 13 games left in the 2017-18 season.

A lot of their struggles have coincided with the absence of forward Danilo Gallinari, who has been dealing with a micro-fracture in his right hand suffered against the Golden State Warriors in the first game after the All-Star break on February 22. While attempting to pump-fake forward Draymond Green, Green's elbow made contact on the way down with Gallinari's hand on the way up for a shot attempt, which resulted in the injury. Fortunately, it appears as though a return is on the horizon for the Italian.

When the Clippers took on the Magic on March 10th, Gallinari told ClutchPoints he would have another examination on his injured right hand in seven-to-eight days to determine whether surgery would be necessary or if he's able to work towards a return.

It took a little longer than eight days, but Gallinari reportedly got good news on his exam earlier today, March 20th, and is now hoping to be back on the court next Tuesday night for the Clippers' home game against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 27th.

Gallinari is not on the Clippers' four-game road trip out East against the Wolves, Bucks, Indiana Pacers, and Toronto Raptors as he rehabs his injured hand in Los Angeles. If he does end up returning on March 27th, he will have missed just under five weeks of action. News was first reported reported by Sky Sports.

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“I hope to do it on the court before the end of the month,” Gallinari told Sky Sports. “The hand is better, I did the last test today: positive results, so now I can start again with the rehabilitation.”

The nine-year NBA veteran Gallinari has appeared in only 19 games for the Clippers this season, averaging 15.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.8 three-pointers per game on just 40.7 percent shooting from the field and 32.1 percent from downtown. LA needs him to be healthy and effective now more than ever as they look to make the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season.