After being sidelined all season with a stress reaction in his lower back, Los Angeles Clippers' guard Shaun Livingston took a big step toward his return Friday, participating in contact drills, the Los Angeles Times reported.

"It felt good," Livingston told the paper after a pain-free workout.

Livingston is not expected to play Saturday against the Phoenix Suns or Sunday against the Detroit Pistons but may be used next week against San Antonio or New Orleans.

"We're still keeping it open, based on how I feel each day, so we'll see how it goes," he told the Times.

Livingston, 20, who practiced running both the half-court and full-court offense, told the paper he had not held back. "It's hard for me to play that way," he said. "If my body's feeling good, then I just go out and play."