Livingston has surgery on his left knee

Shaun Livingston underwent reconstructive surgery on his left knee Tuesday in Alabama and is scheduled to begin a two-week rehabilitation program there before returning to Los Angeles, a Clippers spokesman said.

There were no unforeseen complications in the three-hour procedure orthopedic surgeon James Andrews performed to repair three of the four key ligaments -- anterior cruciate, posterior cruciate and medial collateral -- a dislocated knee and torn cartilage Livingston, 21, suffered Feb. 26 against the Charlotte Bobcats at Staples Center.

Coach Mike Dunleavy spoke with team physician Tony Daly, who assisted Andrews.

Livingston’s posterior cruciate ligament “wasn’t as bad as it had appeared to be, and everything went great,” Dunleavy said. “Now, he’s down there for two weeks to start his rehab and get his range of motion back.”

Livingston, who might sit out the 2007-08 season, is guaranteed $4.4 million next season. The Clippers had planned to offer Livingston a multiyear contract this summer, but it’s now unclear when, or if, Livingston will return.

The team, however, remains committed to the third-year player.

“We feel that he’s young enough, the doctors will get him into position and he’ll work hard enough, so he’ll be back playing for us,” Dunleavy said. “Shaun knows what he has to do.”

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Sam Cassell has been slowed by injuries throughout the season, and his strained abdomen prompted the Clippers to put the 37-year-old point guard on the inactive list before Tuesday’s 93-84 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

“It’s not getting any better,” Cassell said. “Right now, with me just going out there and playing, I’m taking steps backward instead of forward.

“I can run up and down the court and get some assists, but this team needs me to make shots. I’m just not comfortable shooting the basketball right now.”

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Elton Brand needs three rebounds to tie Loy Vaught (4,471) atop the all-time franchise list.

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TONIGHT

at Houston, 5:30 PDT, Channel 5

Site -- Toyota Center.

Radio -- 710.

Records -- Clippers 29-34, Rockets 39-25.

Record vs. Rockets -- 1-1.

Update -- Houston center Yao Ming suffered a broken leg Dec. 23 in the Clippers’ 98-93 victory at Houston and was sidelined 32 games. In five games since his return to the lineup, Yao has averaged 19.6 points and 8.8 rebounds.

jason.reid@latimes.com