Clippers newcomer Darius Garland getting close: ‘He’s looked really good’

The wait continues for Darius Garland. But it’s getting closer.

The new Clippers point guard participated in a 5-on-5 scrimmage Tuesday as he works his way back from lingering toe issues, as relayed by Janis Carr of the Orange County Register. He will not debut Thursday against the Timberwolves, though he is expected to scrimmage again before the game.

Encouraging? Yes. Cleared? Not yet.

“He’s looked great. He looked really good. Moving, going both ways, had a great pace,” coach Tyronn Lue said. “Of course, the shot-making is great, but as far as movement, he looked really good.”

Still, Lue added Garland “needs to keep checking the boxes and keep doing the work.”

Garland has not played since Jan. 14 because of a right toe sprain. Complicating matters is the surgically repaired left big toe that bothered him during last year’s playoffs. The Clippers are determined not to rush him.

“We can’t wait,” forward Nicolas Batum said. “We’re doing good, we’ve shown some good stuff over the last two games, but it’s also been tough for us. That kinda showed us we need him.”

That’s not subtle.

Since the trade that sent James Harden to the Cavaliers, the Clippers have lacked a true offensive organizer. Kris Dunn has handled more playmaking duties, sometimes at the expense of his own shot.

“I don’t put it to one specific thing,” Dunn said of his recent dip in three-point attempts. “Sometimes the games just flow like that, and I don’t really worry about it.”

Lue was more direct.

“He hasn’t been a recipient of open catch-and-shoot 3’s that something else generates,” Lue said. “So, that’s what we’re kind of missing.”

Which brings it full circle.

“He’s been great on the court, off the court,” Dunn said of Garland. “His personality is really high. It gels with the team, and we can’t wait for him to get out there.”