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Clippers' Hawes on minutes restriction due to foot strain

Richard Mackson / USA Today Sports

The Los Angeles Clippers called on Spencer Hawes for just 12 minutes off the bench Saturday against the Portland Trail Blazers, putting a heavy burden on their starting frontcourt.

It turns out it wasn't a strategic decision on the part of head coach Doc Rivers, but a move made out of necessity. Hawes is dealing with a left foot strain and is on a minutes restriction as a result. The strain is bad enough that Hawes is using a walking boot whenever he's not practicing or playing.

While Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan can handle heavy workloads, Hawes being limited thins out the Clippers' depth quickly. Glen Davis was called on for nine minutes Saturday, but otherwise Rivers opted to ride his starters rather than go small or call on Ekpe Udoh. The team signed Hawes to be a true third big man in their rotation, so this isn't ideal.

Through six games, Hawes is averaging just six points and four rebounds in 17.7 minutes, shooting a woeful 35.5 percent. He'll find his stroke eventually, but the Clippers are clearly hoping the foot issue doesn't linger and hamper his performance moving forward.

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