Kaman, Maggette may not play tonight
It. Is. Taking. A. Long. Time.
But for the Clippers, tonight could be the night.
They have not won consecutive games since starting the season 4-0. They defeated the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday and tonight play the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are tied with the Miami Heat for the fewest wins in the NBA. Both have nine.
For the Clippers, it is the first of a seven-game trip, with subsequent stops to play the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks.
It is the team’s longest trip of the year and one they may have to start without leading scorers Chris Kaman and Corey Maggette, who both are battling flu-like symptoms.
A pale-looking Kaman traveled with the team, although he is not sure if he will be able to play tonight. His bruised lower left leg has healed, but he is still feeling sick.
“My whole body is hurting,” said Kaman, who has sat out three straight games -- the first because of the leg bruise.
“I just had the flu and it tore me down. I was in my bed the last few days and haven’t really done anything.”
Maggette, who has sat out two games, did not fly with the team. A team spokesman said Maggette would attempt to catch up with the team in Minnesota today if he is feeling healthy enough to fly.
Meanwhile, Aaron Williams aggravated his bruised left wrist when he fell on it during Wednesday’s win.
He said that he would not miss any playing time because of it. “It’s always been hurting,” Williams said. “It just hurts more now.”
Despite the Clippers’ notable injury/sickness report, the team still sees some potential wins on this trip.
“It’s a chance to make up some ground,” forward Tim Thomas said. “We are playing a lot of teams that are winnable games for us coming off a good win at home. A lot of guys got their confidence and we are playing as a unit right now. It’s a steppingstone, but these games right here are very meaningful.
“It’s one of those things where we have to come out of this trip with more wins than losses.”
--
Kaman, averaging 17.2 points and 13.9 rebounds, was left off the All-Star team reserves, announced Thursday.
TONIGHT
at Minnesota, 5 PST
Site -- Target Center.
Radio -- 710.
Records -- Clippers 14-28, Timberwolves 9-36.
Record vs. Timberwolves -- 1-0.
Update -- The Clippers beat the Timberwolves, 91-82, on Dec. 31. Chris Kaman had 16 points and 16 rebounds in the win that ended a six-game losing streak. Timberwolves guard Randy Foye, who missed the team’s first 43 games because of a stress reaction in his left kneecap, is back in the lineup.
--