Warriors’ Eric Paschall to return from hip injury during 4-game trip

Warriors forward Eric Paschall is expected to return from a left hip flexor strain at some point during the upcoming four-game trip.

Head coach Steve Kerr said the hope is that Paschall, who has missed the past 12 games, will play “by the end” of the trip. After Tuesday night’s game against the Dallas Mavericks at Chase Center, Golden State will play Thursday in Minnesota and Saturday in Houston before wrapping up the trip Monday and next Tuesday in New Orleans.

“We’re hopeful that he’d be able to play by the end of the road trip,” Kerr said. “Not in Minneapolis, but maybe in Houston or New Orleans.”

Before getting injured in an April 2 loss to the Toronto Raptors, Paschall had fallen out of the rotation. In his absence, the Warriors have enjoyed their best stretch of the season, having won eight of their last 12 games with Kevon Looney, Draymond Green and Juan Toscano-Anderson holding down the center position.

When Paschall comes back, he could struggle to find playing time as Golden State continues its playoff push.

“He can play either the five or the four,” Kerr said of Paschall, who has mostly played center in small-ball lineups this season. “He’s done that for us. And we’ll just see, it’ll all depend on circumstances.”

Paschall, 24, played some 3-on-3 with assistant coaches and teammates Tuesday morning and is expected to play 5-on-5 tomorrow as he ramps up his on-court work. In 39 games this season, he is averaging 9.5 points on 49.1% shooting (32.1% from 3-point range), 3.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists.