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Clippers not expecting Turkoglu back in second round

Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

When Hedo Turkoglu suffered what was originally called a lower back contusion in Game 6 of the team's opening round series, they expected to be without the Turkish forward for a couple of games.

That timeline has been altered - with some now referring to the injury as a hairline fracture - and the Los Angeles Clippers are not expecting him back at all in their second round series against Oklahoma City.

"I don't see it, but you never know," said head coach Doc Rivers on Friday.

While the 35-year-old was largely ineffective in the regular season, he does provide the Clippers an additional ball-handler off the bench and someone who can facilitate from the wing or post, a rarity on this roster. He was averaging 3.2 points in 8.2 minutes through six playoff games before getting hurt.

His absence has resulted in more minutes for Jared Dudley, who had previously fallen out of the rotation entirely. Dudley has responded with a cold shooting stretch in two games against the Thunder but has chipped in on the glass and at least poses enough of a long-range threat to help spread the floor.

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