Rowan Kavner
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Austin Rivers made it a goal before last Monday’s game against Oklahoma City to be ready to return a week later when the Clippers were on the road against the Wizards.
Missing just three games with a sprained right ankle, Rivers made that happen.
Rivers went through a workout Monday morning before playing the Wizards, at which point he said the decision had yet to be made, but he said after taking shots before the game he felt ready to go.
“Some guys thought I should wait a little bit, some guys think I’m fine,” Rivers said. “At that point, it just comes down to how do you feel? I wouldn’t put myself at risk, and I feel good. I’m fine.”
Rivers said if he thought he’d hesitate at all on the floor, he wouldn’t have returned.
When Rivers went down in agony at the end of the Clippers’ game Dec. 19 in Houston. Rivers turned the ankle on a drive and had to be carried off the court, leaving the game on crutches.
The guard had never sprained his ankle that badly before, and the replay showed how severely his ankle turned, though he hasn’t watched the play since as he spent the last week and a half recovering.
“Never really had this,” Rivers said. “It’s been annoying, but it could be so much worse. I’ve been on the other side where there is no comeback date. Rookie year, I broke my hand and was out for the rest of the season.”
Rivers put up shots and made a few drives to see how the ankle responded before the game, and the results were positive. He said he felt good enough to play and ended up getting 19 minutes, going plus-12 in that time.
