LA Clippers guard Patrick Beverley suffered a fractured left hand in Thursday night's win over the Phoenix Suns. The new injury is just another added to a long list that has plagued the Clippers all season long.
Beverley's injury came with about 7:33 remaining in the fourth quarter, when he reached in to poke a Chris Paul defensive rebound loose. Paul maintained control and Beverley immediately pulled his hand back, grabbing and flexing it.
Here’s the play where Patrick Beverley apparently broke his left hand.
He attempted to poke the ball loose from Chris Paul and was clearly grabbing at his hand the entire possession after. pic.twitter.com/vE08SU29Ig
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) April 10, 2021
Patrick Beverley stayed in the game for another two plays before intentionally fouling Chris Paul to stop the fast break. The officiating crew deemed it to be a flagrant foul penalty two and ejected him from the game, which may be a blessing in disguise because he clearly wasn't going to sub out on his own.
Patrick Beverley ejected for this hit to Chris Paul.
Was this worth a flagrant 2 foul?pic.twitter.com/nT4nV084HE
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) April 9, 2021
Beverley's absence, which will likely go on for at least 3-4 weeks, leaves a hole in the Clippers' rotation. Reggie Jackson has filled in spectacularly with the starters whenever he's filled in for the injured Beverley. In 28 starts this season, averaging 11.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on 44.8 percent shooting from the field, and 40.3 percent from beyond the arc. The Clippers, however, could also elect to start Rajon Rondo.
In only his third game with the Clippers, Rondo dropped 15 points, three rebounds, and nine assists in 19 minutes off the bench. The 15-year NBA veteran and four-time NBA All-Star is quickly getting acclimated to his new environment alongside Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. The need for both a playmaker for George and Leonard as well as the need for bench scoring could mean starting Rondo.
Tyronn Lue has a bevy of options to fill in Beverley's role, including Terance Mann and Luke Kennard. Lue has taken turns starting the two guards depending on whether he felt the team needed a shooter or a downhill playmaker/defender.
Whatever Lue chooses to do, filling in Beverley's role will not be easy, but it's certainly something the Clippers have equipped themselves to handle.
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