Gallinari improving, hopes to return Wednesday vs. Timberwolves

The last time Danilo Gallinari played for the Los Angeles Clippers, they were still above .500. Now in a tailspin, and in desperate need of any bit of good news, the 8-14 Clippers may be close to getting Gallinari back.

Out since Nov. 5 with a strained left glute, the 29-year-old swingman said Sunday that he's improving, has progressed to playing 2-on-2, and hopes to return to game action Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times.

Gallinari came to Los Angeles on a three-year, $65-million deal this past offseason, but his Clippers career got off to an uneven start before he succumbed to another injury. He averaged 12.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and three assists in nine games, shooting just 35.5 percent from the field and 26 percent from distance (though the Clippers outscored opponents by 5.1 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor).

The Clippers have already lost Patrick Beverley for the season, and will be without Blake Griffin for the next six weeks at least. They've lost 14 of their last 18 games. They'll take whatever help they can get.