DeAndre Jordan Illness: Updates on Clippers Star's Status and Return
Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan did not play on Jan. 13 against the Miami Heat after being diagnosed with pneumonia and had not suited up since. However, he is ready to return.
Continue for updates.
Jordan Active vs. Rockets
Monday, Jan. 18
The Clippers announced Jordan will start on Monday against Houston.
Jordan Illness Briefly Changed Complexion of Clippers Defense
Jordan is a defensive dynamo whose size (6'11", 265 lbs), athleticism and shot-blocking ability make him a force on that end of the court. No one in Los Angeles' rotation could emulate the impact Jordan has on defense, and he finished first in the league among full-time starters in rebound percentage in 2014-15, per NBA.com.
Although scoring isn't Jordan's forte, Clippers head coach Doc Rivers had to manufacture a way for his team to crash the glass and deal with mounting injuries. Blake Griffin remains out of the lineup indefinitely with a quad injury, and the Clips were already short of big men.
The only true center behind Jordan on the Clippers bench is Cole Aldrich, who isn't the defender Jordan is and doesn't play physically, though he does offer some finesse scoring potential.
Nevertheless, the void Jordan's absence left on the court re-emphasized how vital it was for the Clips to dissuade him from fleeing to the Dallas Mavericks in free agency. The Clippers went 1-1 in Jordan's absence, including a loss to the Sacramento Kings.
