Patterson hungry for time

SACRAMENTO -- Ruben Patterson’s dislocated right pinkie is nearly recovered. Now the forward wants a healthier dose of playing time.

Patterson, hindered by the injury sustained during the exhibition season, played without a wrap on the finger for the first time this season in the Clippers’ loss to the Seattle SuperSonics on Wednesday.

He did not get much time to test it though, playing only five minutes following a combined 11 minutes in his two previous games.

“A little bit,” Patterson said, when asked if he was disappointed. “But Coach [Mike Dunleavy] makes the decisions. I can’t really complain. Whenever he calls for me, I need to be ready. But I need to be out there to help this team.”

Patterson played at least 15 minutes in nine November games.

“There are reasons for it, obviously, that’s why he’s not playing as much,” Dunleavy said. “I think other guys can potentially help us better at this point. Some of it was he’s been struggling finishing around the rim, making baskets and at times, his hand has bothered him. It’s different factors.”

Patterson is averaging 4.6 points and 3.0 rebounds in 16.1 minutes, including five starts. He is coming off a season where he posted career highs of 14.7 points and 5.4 rebounds for the Milwaukee Bucks.

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Sam Cassell, who has missed the last four games because of a strained calf, is scheduled to rejoin the Clippers in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Cassell flew to Houston during the current trip to receive treatment at a facility that had previously treated him.

He is targeting Sunday’s game against the Miami Heat to return, although Dunleavy said the injury may force him to miss more time.

“I don’t think he’s going to be ready,” Dunleavy said. “All these pulled muscle deals are a couple of weeks.”

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The Clippers finally meet a team tonight hurting as much as them.

The Kings will play without guard Kevin Martin, their leading scorer at 24.5 points, who is expected to miss four to six weeks because of a groin injury. He joins point guard Mike Bibby (thumb) and forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim (knee) on the sidelines.

TONIGHT

vs. Sacramento Kings, 7, Prime Ticket

Site -- Arco Arena.

Radio -- 710.

Records -- Clippers 6-11, Kings 7-10.

Record vs. Kings (2006-07) -- 2-2.

Update -- All the Kings’ wins have come at home this season and the Clippers have won only once in their last 18 trips to Sacramento.

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jonathan.abrams@latimes.com