P.J. Tucker and Bones Hyland will not be with the Clippers when they take on the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night in San Francisco, but the two are expected to be back with the team after the All-Star break.
The Clippers’ first game after the break is at the Oklahoma City Thunder on Feb. 22.
Tucker has voiced his frustration recently over his lack of playing time since joining the Clippers. The 38-year-old veteran forward came to Los Angeles in the trade that brought James Harden from Philadelphia. He has played in just 12 games with the Clippers.
Hyland, a 23-year-old guard who had a role off the bench when the season began, saw his minutes dwindle after Harden arrived. He has played in 19 games.
Coach Tyronn Lue said last week that Tucker would “get an opportunity” to play but did not specify when. Tucker has not played since Nov. 27.
“That’s part of the game,” Lue said of Tucker’s frustration. “If you’re a competitor, you’re going to get frustrated because everybody wants to play. So, like I said, P.J. will be OK.”
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Tucker was sent home to “reset his mindset.”
Terance Mann, whose locker is next to Tucker’s, said he has not openly displayed his feelings.
“P.J.’s been great. He’s always vocal on the bench, you know, telling us what we need to be doing, what we don’t need to be going,” Mann said. “You know, he’s a great guy. He’s not going to be selfish and take away from the team at all.”
There have reportedly been no substantial talks regarding a buyout for Tucker, in large part because he has an $11.5 million player option for next season. He would not receive that kind of offer on the open market this summer if he was an unrestricted free agent.
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