Teammates Miss Maggette

Coach Mike Dunleavy is experienced at making adjustments because of injuries, and usually plays things cool.

So it’s not surprising Dunleavy hasn’t expressed concern about the team’s playoff plans despite the loss of swingman Corey Maggette because of a herniated disk.

Maggette, who sat out his fourth consecutive game Wednesday, received an epidural injection and is sidelined indefinitely. The seven-year veteran was reexamined by team physician Tony Daly and back specialist Robert Watkins, and is undergoing rehabilitation, a Clipper spokesman said.

“He’s not going to play for at least a few games,” Dunleavy said. “That’s all I know right now.”

Maggette also missed the first four games after he injured a hamstring and 39 in another stretch because of a foot injury.

The Clipper fastbreak wasn’t as effective without Maggette, which also had a negative effect on defense.

The Clippers have only four games remaining in the regular season, and haven’t exactly sprinted to the finish, dropping three in a row beginning play Wednesday.

The postseason is more physical than the regular season, the Clippers said, and Maggette is among the team’s toughest players.

Maggette’s teammates would rather have him available for their final few tune-ups.

“Nobody really knows what the deal is with Corey,” center Chris Kaman said. “They really haven’t said anything yet, but we’re definitely going to need him. We need him back as soon as possible.”

Maggette’s size (6 feet 6, 225 pounds) presents matchup problems on offense.

“When he’s out, we have the matchup problems” on defense, point guard Shaun Livingston said. “Other guys have to guard guys Corey would normally guard, and it just makes it tougher on everyone.”

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The Clippers received a lottery-protected first-round draft pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Sam Cassell-Marko Jaric trade.

The pick, however, is only protected through the 10th selection, so the Clippers would get it if the Timberwolves selected 11th or higher.

With the talent on the Clipper roster, it’s doubtful a No. 1 pick in the June draft would crack the rotation next season, but “you could get a good player who could contribute,” Dunleavy said. “Certain guys, at certain times, are a good fit. When you get that guy, he’s good to have.”