Clippers' Redick out indefinitely with back spasms

The lacking wing depth of the Los Angeles Clippers is about to get tested.

J.J. Redick checked out of Monday's game against the Brooklyn Nets with back spasms, the second time in a week the issue has flared up. Redick was forced from a Jan. 26 game due to spasms after getting hit and sat on Jan. 28, with head coach Doc Rivers admitting after the game that Redick probably shouldn't have even played on Monday.

"It's just spasms," Rivers said. "I think it's from that hit. He probably shouldn't have played, who knows, but we're just going to rest him until he's right."

Redick's back has long been an issue, with him missing time for it as far back as 2006 and spasms costing him 25 games a season ago. Sitting him indefinitely, allowing him to get completely healthy, seems the proper approach but could also keep him on the shelf for an extended period, given his history.

The Clippers can ill-afford to lose Redick, who is averaging 14.4 points and hitting 43.2 percent of his threes. His absence will force reigning Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford into the starting lineup, which leaves just Dahntay Jones, C.J. Wilcox and Hedo Turkoglu as natural wings on the bench. 

Already short on depth, losing Redick threatens to put undue pressure on the team's starting unit and could hurt the league's top-ranked offense, which has been 9.7 points per-100 possessions better with Redick on the floor. At 33-16, the Clippers have some breathing room to be patient, but their championship upside is put into question so long as Redick sits.