Trip brings out best in Thornton

The Clippers’ 12-day, seven-game Grammy Awards-induced evacuation from Staples Center is now in the rearview mirror, and Al Thornton summed up the odyssey in one word.

“Loooong,” he said. With added words, he elaborated.

“A grind,” he said.

The Clippers won three of seven games on their longest trip of the season, still in search of that elusive streak of winning two straight games, unseen since their first four games of the season. But they were mostly satisfied.

Thornton, a rookie forward, averaged 15.7 points in the seven games, scoring as many as 25 points and as few as four.

“I think I got back at some of the teams that passed me up [in the NBA draft],” Thornton said. “It was a nice little experience, traveling after the game. It was a grind. I heard a lot about that and I wanted to experience it, but it was no joke.”

Coach Mike Dunleavy said he was pleased with the trip.

“I thought a seven-game trip, you came back with three wins, is pretty good,” he said. “I thought there was some good play. I thought particularly Al had a great road trip.

“Unfortunately for us, part of the way, I think we kind of wore down.”

The Clippers return home tonight against the Washington Wizards, their last game before the All-Star break. They play 11 of their next 12 games at Staples Center, including an “away” game against the Lakers next month.

Forward Tim Thomas, who has missed three of the last four games because of a sore lower back, declared himself out until after the All-Star break. Just one of the ill effects, he said, of an extended trip.

“I’m trying to let it calm all the way down and rebuild,” said Thomas, who played only 12 minutes in his appearance, Friday at Toronto. “It was already sore, but when you are sleeping in soft beds, that’s what made it flare.”

Point guard Brevin Knight, who played sparingly Monday against the Milwaukee Bucks because of a stomach virus, will be available tonight.

With the trading deadline a week from Thursday, Dunleavy said the team would keep fielding and making phone calls, but won’t make a deal unless it improves the Clippers’ future.

“Until there’s no trading deadline, that’s what you do,” he said.

When asked if he could see point guard Sam Cassell, the subject of much trade speculation, being moved, Dunleavy said:

“I don’t know. Not as of right now.”

TONIGHT

vs. Washington, 7:30, FSN Prime

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 710.

Records -- Clippers 17-32, Wizards 24-27.

Record vs. Wizards (2006-07) -- 1-1.

Update -- Washington has lost eight straight games. It is the Wizards’ longest losing streak since dropping eight straight in November 2001. Caron Butler (hip flexor) and Antonio Daniels (ankle and knee) are both doubtful for the Wizards, who have played nearly the entire season without star Gilbert Arenas (knee).

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jonathan.abrams@latimes.com