PHOENIX -- Los Angeles Clippers guard J.J. Redick will likely make his return to the team Thursday against the Dallas Mavericks after missing the last 25 games because of a bulging disk in his lower back, Clippers coach Doc Rivers said.

Rivers said there was a "75 percent" chance Redick would return Thursday and multiple team sources said the plan was for Redick to start against Dallas.

The news was not as good for Clippers guard Jamal Crawford, who will miss his third straight game Thursday because of a sore left Achilles.

"There's no chance he plays tomorrow, I can tell you that," Rivers said.

Crawford, who recently missed eight of nine games because of a strained left calf, was taken out of last Saturday night's game against the Houston Rockets with 5:03 left and did not return.

Crawford was optimistic he would be back before the start of the playoffs.

“I think I'm just going to take it day by day," Crawford said. "The important thing is being ready for the playoffs. The playoffs is what we play for."