Clippers’ Darren Collison, who has newborn son, will play vs. Lakers

These are really exciting times for Clippers backup point guard Darren Collison.

He is the father of a baby boy named Kinston, born Monday night. And Collison also said he will play tonight against the Lakers in their designated home game at Staples Center.

Collison missed the final Clippers exhibition game Friday night with a bruised left kneecap. He didn’t practice much Sunday or Monday.

Collison, who wore a black sleeve on his knee, worked out some during the Clippers’ shoot-around Tuesday morning in preparation for the game against the Lakers.

“My knee is fine,” Collison said. “It’s better. I could tolerate the pain. It’s not fully where I need to be. But I’m running fine. It’s no limp or nothing. I’m ready to go. It’s go time.”

Because it is the season opener for the Clippers and the expectations for them are so high, Collison said he has never thought about not playing tonight.

“Even if I wasn’t all the way healthy and I feel like I can’t go physically, I’m going to find a way to play,” he said. “This is the most important time, the beginning of the year. You want to set the tone off right.”

Collison said he came from the hospital in time for Tuesday’s shoot-around and that he was going back to the hospital to see his son before heading to the arena later this afternoon.

“It’s probably one of the best times of my life right now,” Collison said. “But probably not sleeping-wise. I’m not getting too much sleep. But I’ll be fine for the game.”

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broderick.turner@latimes.com

Twitter: BA_Turner