MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro says Bobby Simmons will start in place of injured forward Caron Butler in Game 2 against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Butler broke the fifth metacarpal in his left hand in the Clippers’ 99-98 comeback win Sunday night. Del Negro said Wednesday night that Simmons would start to help keep the second unit intact with Nick Young coming off the bench.
Simmons did not play in the first game of this Western Conference series. The 6-foot-6 forward averaged 2.9 points and 2.0 rebounds this season, and the nine-year veteran likely will guard Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay.
Del Negro says Butler will see a specialist Thursday in Los Angeles about his hand. The broken hand is expected to keep Butler four to six weeks.
