Tony Parker returns from 5-game absence Monday

Tony Parker will return from a five-game absence due to a strained left hamstring on Monday when the San Antonio Spurs take on the Los Angeles Clippers.

Parker has struggled to stay on the floor of late, missing nine of the team's last 12 games. The team has struggled in his stead, dropping four consecutive games and falling to 17-11, which sounds good until it's compared to the six teams ahead of them in the Western Conference.

Cory Joseph has done a stellar job in Parker's absence, averaging 11.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists in those nine games, but Parker's offensive dynamism is impossible to replicate. In 19 games, Parker is averaging 16 points and 5.3 assists, shooting 50.9 percent from the floor and 65.4 percent from long range.

In what remains a small sample, the Spurs have played 2.4 points per-100 possessions better without Parker so far. That continues a curious trend from last season that flies in the face of both logic and his career impact.

We're confident the Clippers won't be looking at those numbers and finding themselves thankful the rapper-slash-baller is back.