SI

J.J. Redick will return to Clippers on Friday after injury

J.J. Redick is averaging a career-high 15.8 points per game in his first year in L.A. (Rocky Widner/Getty Images) As expected, guard J.J. Redick, who has been
J.J. Redick will return to Clippers on Friday after injury
J.J. Redick will return to Clippers on Friday after injury

J.J. Redick is averaging a career-high 15.8 points per game in his first year in L.A. (Rocky Widner/Getty Images)

As expected, guard J.J. Redick, who has been out since Nov. 29 with a fracture in his right hand and a torn ulnar collateral ligament, said he will play in the Clippers' game against the Lakers on Friday night, according to Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times.

The 29-year-old is averaging a career-best 15.8 points per game in 17 games this season, and also has career-highs in field-goal percentage (46.0) and free-throw percentage (92.7). He had his hand lightly wrapped in a brace at Thursday's shootaround, according to the Los Angeles Times.

SI WIRE: Pelicans PG Jrue Holiday out indefinitely with stress fracture

"What will be interesting is how it works without [the injured] Chris [Paul], because J.J.'s movement is still the point guard seeing the movement and giving him the ball in the right spot," head coach Doc Rivers said on Thursday. "So I don't know how that will work."

The Clippers (25-13), who lead the Pacific Division, are 13-8 since Redick's injury and have won four of their last five.

SI WIRE: Mike D'Antoni targeting returns of Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash