Guard makes progress

Point guard Shaun Livingston is scheduled for another checkup in Alabama next week to test the progress of his injured left knee.

If everything checks out with Dr. James Andrews, who is considered one of the nation’s top orthopedic surgeons, Livingston will move on to the next phase of his rehabilitation: Regaining the explosiveness in his left knee that he had before his gruesome February injury when he tore three ligaments and dislocated a kneecap.

“It’ll be trying to get that back,” Livingston said. “The explosion. Really planting off and jumping on it.”

Livingston is still hoping to resume practice with the team in February with a possible return the next month. He is fitted with a custom-made knee brace and has traveled with the team the last month.

Livingston can cut lightly on the knee and is focusing on strengthening it.

“It’s been up and down,” Livingston said. “We push it to see where it’s at. Some off days it’s sore and I have to calm down. It’s anywhere from 60% to 70% and the next 20% is explosion. The last 10% after that will be getting the endurance.”

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The latest All-Star balloting returns were released Thursday and the only Clipper listed among the top 10 at any position was center Chris Kaman.

Kaman is 10th with 66,315 votes. Houston’s Yao Ming leads all Western Conference centers with 813,305 votes.

Kaman, averaging 18.6 points and 14 rebounds before Thursday, trails the Dallas Mavericks’ Erick Dampier (4.7 and 6.4), the Golden State Warriors’ Andris Biedrins (10.7 and 9.7) and the New Orleans Hornets’ Tyson Chandler (11.5 and 11.9) among others.

Paper balloting will continue through Jan. 13 and online balloting concludes a week later.

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Tim Thomas says he hopes to return Wednesday when the Clippers play host to the Hornets.

Thomas hurt his left knee last week against the San Antonio Spurs.

“The good thing is I didn’t tear anything or break anything,” he said. “Right now, I have to deal with the soreness and it being stiff. Once I get that out the way, I’ll definitely be on the court.”

Thomas said he had a similar injury two seasons ago while with the Phoenix Suns in the playoffs but played through the pain.

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Forward Paul Davis, who tore a knee ligament last week, is scheduled for season-ending surgery next Thursday with Andrews.

TONIGHT

at Phoenix, 6 PST, FSN Prime

Site -- US Airways Center.

Radio -- 710.

Records -- Clippers 9-18, Suns 20-9.

Record vs. Suns -- 0-2.

Update -- The first- and last-place teams in the Pacific Division meet again with a change of venue.

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jonathan.abrams@latimes.com