Clippers forward Wesley Johnson is preparing for his playoff debut

Wesley Johnson heard the crowd, felt the energy, marinated in the vibe during two recent games against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He could still not bring himself to use the P-word.

The only player on the Clippers’ roster besides rookie Branden Dawson and recent call-up Alex Stepheson never to appear in the NBA playoffs sometimes acts as though he might have his access revoked if he mentions them.

“I continue to still think about it,” Johnson said Wednesday, “but until it gets there, then I’ll be able to see how it is.”

Johnson appears bound to finally get there in his sixth season after having logged 412 games and 10,260 minutes without experiencing one second of the playoffs. He spent his first three seasons with losing teams in Minnesota and Phoenix before becoming a part of historically bad Lakers teams the last two seasons.

That’s why games like the Clippers’ showdowns against the Thunder are especially meaningful to Johnson. They feel like a playoff primer for someone eager to play into May and June.

“Games like this, games like when we’re playing Golden State and just seeing that atmosphere and seeing the level and intensity, how it picks up throughout the game,” Johnson said, “is getting me ready for it.”

Johnson did not play well Wednesday during the Clippers’ 120-108 loss to the Thunder and appeared to take it hard. He sat shirtless at his locker, watching his teammates dress for a long stretch before shaking his head in frustration.

Johnson scored only two points on one-for-six shooting and was one of many Clippers to struggle defensively. Not being able to help slow Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant (30 points) was especially painful for someone brought in to be a stopper.

“The defensive end,” Johnson said, “that’s where they want me to make a statement, make an impact.”

Johnson said he has usually watched every playoff game in years past until the Finals, when his viewing habits become spotty. It’s just too painful.

“I just don’t watch it,” Johnson said. “It’s the ending. It’s tough because it’s basically over with now.”

The 2016 playoffs could be different. If nothing else, they will be a beginning for Johnson.

Like old times?

If Paul Pierce seems a step slow these days, it just means you haven’t been watching him long enough.

“If you looked at Paul’s movements, you would have said he should have stopped playing 10 years ago,” Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said of the veteran forward. “Paul is never going to jump off the charts with his speed, yet he has it. Paul is all about fundamentals and footwork.”

Pierce, 38, has had a handful of nice games filling in as the starting power forward for Blake Griffin, but there have also been clunkers like Wednesday, when he missed all four of his shots. Rivers pulled Pierce after only five second-half minutes, and his overall minutes figure to dip once Griffin returns.

There is also the matter of Pierce’s playoff role to sort out. He finished playoff games last season for the Washington Wizards, hitting a buzzer-beating jumper against the Atlanta Hawks, but he has not been on the floor regularly in late-game situations for the Clippers.

Rivers recently declined to detail his planned playoff rotations, saying it was too early to discuss the possibilities.

Etc.

Clippers shooting guard J.J. Redick said he would need stitches for a gash below his chin he sustained in the fourth quarter against the Thunder. ... The Clippers did not practice Thursday.

CLIPPERS NEXT UP

VS. NEW YORK

When: 7:30.

Where: Staples Center.

On the air: TV: Prime; Radio: 980, 1330.

Records: Knicks 27-39; Clippers 41-22.

Record vs. Knicks: 1-0.

Update: New York has continued to struggle under interim Coach Kurt Rambis, going 4-8 since Derek Fisher was fired last month. The Knicks have split their first two games on a season-long, six-game trip, losing to Denver before blowing out Phoenix by 31 points. Forward Luc Mbah a Moute, who has missed the Clippers’ last four games with a lacerated left eyelid, is scheduled to be examined Friday to determine his status for the game against the Knicks.

Follow Ben Bolch on Twitter: @latbbolch