LOS ANGELES — Patrick Beverley was bored at home in Houston, with a bum knee and nothing to do but watch basketball games on TV and travel to and from his rehabilitation sessions. So, he jumped on an airplane as soon as he tossed away his crutches and rejoined the Clippers on Saturday.

Beverley couldn’t play against the Sacramento Kings, but he said he looked forward to helping in any way he could while seated on the Clippers’ bench at Staples Center for the first time since undergoing season-ending surgery on his right knee Nov. 22.

“I’m ecstatic,” he said. “I get to talk some (trash) on the bench today.”

Beverley also said he’s not resigned to sitting out for the rest of 2017-18.

“There’s a chance,” he said of returning to the court before the regular season ends April 11. “I’m not a doctor, so you can’t quote me on that one. (But) there’s a chance. I’m doing pretty good. I’m ahead of schedule. I feel strong. I’m walking without crutches. Glad to be back.

“I wanted to stay in Houston until I was off the crutches, but I’m back. I’m back for good now.”

Beverley will continue his rehab and recovery in Los Angeles and will begin traveling with the Clippers starting next month. It’s been difficult for him to watch from afar, powerless to help his teammates. He’s also been thrilled by their ability to remain competitive despite so many injuries.

“The way they’ve been playing you can’t be nothing but happy,” he said. “Just willing it out. Playing hard is a skill in this league. Watching this team grow, through the ups and downs, good times and bad times, shows its true character. This is a fighting team.

“You have to give these guys a lot of credit. I don’t think the NBA does give these guys a lot of credit, especially our three main guys: Blake (Griffin), Lou (Williams) and DeAndre (Jordan), who have been holding down the fort since all the injuries.”

Despite injuries that have sidelined all five of their opening-night starters at one point or another this season, the Clippers went into Saturday’s game one game out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference and 1½ games out of fifth.

Beverley expressed amazement at the play of Griffin, Jordan and, especially, Williams, a teammate last season with the Houston Rockets before they were traded to the Clippers last summer in the blockbuster Chris Paul deal. Williams averaged a team-leading 23.1 points going into Saturday.

“True soldiers,” Beverley said of the three.

Of Williams, in particular, Beverley said: “He’s on some (stuff). Lou is on some (stuff) this year. I saw little flashes last year, but with that loaded squad (with the Rockets in 2016-17), with that dynamic of that team, he couldn’t be himself. He’s on another level this year.

“In my opinion, he’s the Sixth Man of the Year and an All-Star.”

Beverley said he was looking forward to cheering for Williams and the rest of the Clippers for the rest of the season.

“I can get the hell out of my room,” he said of rejoining the team. “I get to sit on the bench now. I’m just happy to be back.”