What many feel is the deepest team in the West gets a little deeper tonight.
Chauncey Billups is expected to play Wednesday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves, his first game since suffering a torn Achilles tendon Feb. 6 against Orlando. He appeared in 20 games last season for the Clippers, averaging 15.0 points, 4.0 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 30.4 minutes.
“We are all excited to have Chauncey back,” Clippers head coach Vinny Del Negro said. “I know how hard he has worked to get to this point and we are looking forward to incorporating him into the lineup.”
Billups averaged 16.8 points, 5.4 assists and 2.6 rebounds in 32.1 minutes in 72 games with Denver and New York during the 2010-11 season. He was traded to the Knicks on February 22, 2011 and was later claimed by the Clippers off of waivers on December 12, 2011.
The 15-year veteran point guard was an All-Star from 2006 through 2010. Tonight will mark his 1,003rd career game.
The Clippers have been led in scoring by reserve Jamal Crawford, who is averaging 18.0 points per game, and Eric Bledsoe has been contributing 10.1 points off the bench — making him one of six Clippers to average double figures.