The All-Star break is over, trading season is behind us, and suddenly we’re just 50 days or so away from the start of the playoffs. And maybe more exciting for the two teams playing tonight: veteran starters on both sides are expected to return from injury this week.
For San Antonio, it’s Pau Gasol, who injured his hand while warming up before a Nuggets game in mid-January.
INJURY REPORT - Pau Gasol (fracture, left fourth metacarpal) is probable for tomorrow night’s Spurs-Clippers game.
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) February 23, 2017
The starting lineup has made do without Gasol, and the Spurs’ defense has looked as strong as ever without him (a 98.