The Clippers’ second unit has digressed defensively with Wesley Johnson on the sideline, but the small forward will return to the court against the Raptors at Staples Center on Monday night.
Johnson confirmed Morning morning that he has been cleared to play. He has missed the Clippers’ (12-2) last five games with a heel injury. He is averaging 3.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game this season, but his value is in how he fits into the Clippers’ five-man bench unit.
Clippers Coach Doc Rivers has mostly replaced Johnson with Brandon Bass and also tried Paul Pierce alongside Raymond Felton, Austin Rivers, Jamal Crawford and Marreese Speights.