Clippers center Chris Kaman wants to return to the floor on Thursday.
Kaman has been out since Nov. 9 with an ankle injury and a Thursday return would be about a week ahead of schedule.
"I think I'll play Thursday," Kaman said Monday night.
"Our trainers have done a good job, and I've been doing everything I can to get back."
Kaman will practice on Tuesday and Wednesday and then be re-evaluated on Thursday.
"He thinks that," coach Vinny Del Negro said of Kaman's chances to play Thursday. "But we have to see how he does Tuesday and Wednesday, see how his ankle reacts. If we play him Thursday and it blows up, then he's out again.
"We have to be smart about it. He's a little more optimistic because he wants to get out there."