HOUSTON,TX : DeAndre Jordan #6 of the Los Angeles Clippers looks on against the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center During Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2015 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2015 in Houston,Texas NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)Jesse D. Garrabrant/Getty Images

DeAndre Jordan Illness: Updates on Clippers Star's Status and Return

Matt FitzgeraldJan 13, 2016

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.

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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.