For all the talk about resting some of the Clippers or perhaps not playing some of them in these last two regular-season games, center DeAndre Jordan has a streak to consider.
If Jordan plays in the last two games, he will have appeared in all 82 regular-season games for the second consecutive season.
The Clippers play the Denver Nuggets in their regular-season home finale at Staples Center on Tuesday and then the regular-season finale at Portland on Wednesday night.
Jordan is the only Clipper to have played in every game this season, and he’s second in minutes played, averaging 35.4 per game.
Jordan said whether he sits or gets limited minutes in the last two games will be in the hands of Clippers Coach Doc Rivers.
“I’ve been blessed to play in a lot of games and stay healthy throughout the past couple of years,” Jordan said after Sunday’s game. “But rest is always good, especially for the playoffs, and Doc is big on rest. So whatever he decides to do, I’m all for it.”
Jordan’s playing streak has reached 238 games, dating to March 25, 2011.
He now has the longest active streak in the NBA after Andre Miller‘s 239-game streak ended on Jan. 1.
Jordan is fourth in Clippers franchise history for consecutive games played. Randy Smith leads with way with 595, when he was with the Buffalo Braves.
“He does have bangs and bruises and sprains. He just keeps playing, though,” Rivers said about Jordan. “There are just people made that way. It’s their makeup, and DJ is one of those guys.”
Rivers said there were about “10 practices” this season when Clippers head athletic trainer Jasen Powell said Jordan couldn’t go because of an injury.
“And then he [Jordan] goes the whole practice and you didn’t know he was injured,” Rivers said. “It’s just DJ. He had a root canal one morning before practice and practiced the whole practice. It was great. He didn’t talk about a lot, which is even better. Didn’t complain once at the refs… But he is one of those guys and it’s great to have that too.”
Etc.
The Clippers didn’t practice Sunday but will be back at work Monday.
Twitter:@BA_Turner
