Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan was involved in a minor car accident in Playa del Rey on Tuesday, while on his way to the airport to travel with the Clippers for their December 28th game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
DeAndre Jordan Involved in Minor Car Accident, One Person Hurt
TMZ Sports was the first to report the accident. The Clippers confirmed the story to Ramona Shelburne, senior writer for ESPN.com, shortly thereafter:
Clippers confirm TMZ report that DeAndre Jordan was involved in minor car accident on his way to the airport for the team's flight to NOLA
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) December 27, 2016
Jordan Uninjured, Paul Not Involved
Jordan, 28, was reported to be uninjured in the crash, and completed the flight to New Orleans with his teammates. The big man’s status for the game has yet to be confirmed.
Clippers say DeAndre Jordan is OK and is flying with the team to New Orleans.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) December 27, 2016
It was originally reported that Clippers point guard Chris Paul was also involved in the accident, but multiple outlets are now contradicting that report. Paul and team officials are now reported to have been called to the scene to check on Jordan after the incident occurred, and to transport him to the airport.
Chris Paul was NOT involved in the accident. Clips say he was near the airport and came with team staff to give DJ a ride to the airport
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) December 27, 2016
The two-car collision, which occurred around noon, did leave one driver with minor injuries. “The injured party was transported to the hospital after he complained of pain,” L.A. police spokesperson Sal Ramirez told USA Today. “The injury is going to be non-serious.”
Accident is Latest in Clippers’ Bad Luck Streak
The Clippers, who have had a string of bad luck lately, cannot afford to be without their athletic big man. Jordan is the only starter who has played in all 33 of the team’s games this season, and he’s averaging 11.5 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per contest. The underhanded Clippers are already without All-Star Blake Griffin, who has been out since December 20th after undergoing knee surgery. They’ve also not won any of their games since losing floor general Paul to a strained hamstring on December 22nd. Additionally, sharp-shooter J.J. Redick has missed games in the last week due to a hamstring injury.
The absence of so many starters due to injury was a major factor in the Clippers’ embarrassing loss to their cross-town rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, on Christmas Day. It also contributed mightily to the squad’s December 26th loss to the Denver Nuggets. The losses are starting to visibly frustrate a number of the Clippers’ usually unflappable players, including the generally jovial Jordan. According to Dan Woike of the Orange County Register, Jordan left after the Clippers’ loss to the Nuggets without speaking to the media – something very uncharacteristic for him.
DeAndre Jordan left after the Clippers' loss to Denver without speaking to the media.
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) December 27, 2016
Tip off for Wednesday’s Clippers-Pelicans match-up is 5:00pm PST / 8:00pm EST. The Clips will need to rally in order to pull out a win despite the current challenges.
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