LA Clippers coach Doc Rivers said he's fairly certain point guard Patrick Beverley will be back for Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday.
"You'll see him for sure," Rivers said Wednesday. "I'm pretty sure tomorrow [for Game 1], but I can't guarantee that.
"But he looked pretty good [in practice]."
Beverley has missed five consecutive games -- and 10 of the last 11 -- due to a left calf strain. He suffered the injury against Phoenix on Aug. 4.
Landry Shamet has started at point guard for the Clippers over the last four games against the Dallas Mavericks. Shamet has averaged 11.5 points and has made 11-of-22 3-pointers as a starter.
The Clippers need Beverley's defense, as Denver's Jamal Murray is averaging 31.6 points, 6.3 assists, 5.6 rebounds and shooting 53.3% from behind the arc.
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