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Clippers’ Matt Barnes doesn’t make the trip

Clippers forward Matt Barnes did not make the trip with the team to Minnesota because of a bruised left eye, the team announced Wednesday.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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MINNEAPOLIS — Clippers backup small forward Matt Barnes didn’t make the trip to Minnesota because he has a bruised left eye, the team announced Wednesday.

The Clippers said Barnes has some swelling inside his retina, and that he is going to get some tests run soon. For now, the Clippers said Barnes has been told to get rest and that there is no timetable for his return.

“We’re going to miss him,” Coach Doc Rivers said.

Barnes was injured during the game against the Grizzlies on Monday night when he was hit by an inadvertent elbow from Memphis forward Zach Randolph.

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It has been a tough season for Barnes, who is averaging 5.9 points and 3.3 rebounds in 20 minutes.

Barnes was fined $25,000 by the NBA last week for inappropriate language he used on Twitter after being ejected from the Clippers-Thunder game because of a skirmish with Oklahoma City’s Serge Ibaka.

Barnes had missed three games because of a bruised right thigh.

Bullock gets playing time

With Barnes out, rookie Reggie Bullock played 12 minutes against the Timberwolves as the backup small forward.

Bullock had six points on two-for-four shooting, going two for two on three-pointers.

“I was just confident coming here knowing that Matt was out that this was my opportunity to get some minutes and just try to produce at that position,” Bullock said.

Dudley still hurting

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Rivers said starting small forward Jared Dudley is not able to play much more than the 26.8 minutes he averages because of a very sore right knee.

Dudley played 29 minutes against the Timberwolves and scored 11 points.

“With Jared, we’re trying to limit his minutes,” Rivers said. “Obviously, having Matt out makes it more difficult. But I’m going to still keep his minutes down.”

broderick.turner@latimes.com

Twitter: @BA_Turner

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