Clippers Will Be Without Benjamin

Center Benoit Benjamin will be out with a sprained right knee when the Clippers play the Portland Trail Blazers tonight at Portland. Kurt Nimphius will start in place of Benjamin.

Benjamin was examined Monday by Dr. Tony Daly, the team physician. Daly said that Benjamin should be able to play again Thursday night against the New York Knicks.

Meanwhile, point guard Darnell Valentine was activated and will make his season debut tonight. Valentine had been on the injured list with a broken left hand.

The Clippers will be trying to snap a nine-game losing streak tonight. They have lost 18 consecutive games in Portland, including a 119-109 decision Nov. 14. They haven’t won a game at Memorial Coliseum since Feb. 24, 1981.

Clipper Coach Don Chaney said he may move guard Lancaster Gordon into the starting lineup to replace Mike Woodson, who has been in a scoring slump. Guard Larry Drew, who has been sidelined for four games with a hamstring injury, will make the trip but isn’t expected to play.

In another development, it appears that the Clippers have given up trying to sign free-agent guard Quintin Dailey, whose agents have asked for a guaranteed contract.

“We need an experienced guard, but I’m not going to beat myself over the head trying to get (Dailey),” Chaney said. “It’s frustrating. The Quintin Dailey group was after us all summer, every day. All of a sudden, they’re playing hard to get. It’s getting to the point to say ‘Forget it. Why bother?’ ”

Dailey’s agents could not be reached for comment.