Spurs' Pau Gasol: Will come off bench Friday vs. Clippers

Gasol (finger) will come off the bench Friday against the Clippers for the first game back from his injury, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reports.

Analysis:

Despite being listed in the Spurs' game notes as the team's starting center, Gasol will be eased back into the mix off the bench as he returns from a 15-game absence due to a fractured finger. Dewayne Dedmon will stick in the starting five at center, but both big men figure to roughly split the minutes at the position. If Gasol makes it through Friday's contest without incident, he should regain his role as starter before long.