Billups, Hill Injury Updates

After both signing new contracts with the Clippers in the off-season, Chauncey Billups and Grant Hill haven't had much of an impact in the young season- Hill has yet to appear while Billups has only played 60 minutes in three games.

Chauncey tore his Achilles last February playing for the Clippers, and after originally aiming for an opening day return, he played his first game November 28th against Minnesota, and continued to start the subsequent two games. Those three games were the start of the Clippers current 12 game winning streak, which is the franchise record.

Billups left the lineup after those three appearances with peroneal tendinitis in his left foot, and hasn't played in any of the nine games since.

As recently as yesterday, Lisa Dillman reported that Billups still has no scheduled return. However, he did assert that he will play this season: "This year I know I'll be playing."

Grant Hill has yet to wear a jersey for the Clippers in a regular season game, but due to the team's success and depth at the SF position, he has been able to take his time and recover fully before playing. Hill suffered a bone bruise in his right knee before the season which has kept him out of the Clippers' 26 games this year. Grant is the second-oldest player in the NBA by one day, and is in his 18th season. It's quite possibly a blessing in disguise that the club isn't putting mileage on his knees in November and December.

According to Bill Dwyre, Hill could return to the team sometime in mid-January. It remains to be seen if he'll take the court with Billups at that time.