Clippers Pick Up Win Over Sonics; Wolf Will Undergo Knee Surgery

The Seattle SuperSonics probably thought they’d rout the Clippers Thursday night when they learned before the game that Joe Wolf, the Clippers’ star rookie forward, was out with a knee injury.

But losing Wolf seemed to motivate the Clippers as guard Mike Woodson scored 27 points as the Clippers beat the SuperSonics, 113-96, at the Sports Arena to end a two-game losing streak.

The Clippers, who have been unable to run all season, finally got their fast break going as rookies Reggie Williams and Ken Norman stepped in to replace Wolf, who will undergo arthroscipic surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee this morning at Daniel Freeman Marina Hospital.

Wolf was hurt in a collision with forward Caldwell Jones of the Portland Trail Blazers in a 97-87 loss at Portland on Nov. 27. He had experienced soreness in the knee, but had continued to play.

He was examined by Tony Daly, the team physician Wednesday after practice and got got the bad news from Daly Thursday.

Said Daly: “He had this persistent pain in the right knee for two weeks. The tests we did showed a torn cartilage on the outside of the knee. How long he’s out will depend on what we find.

“I’ll have a better idea how long he’ll be out after I do the operation. If it’s minor, and I suspect that it is, he won’t be out for long.””

Wolf, who had been playing well on a bad knee, was understandably upset.

“It’s kind of frustrating,” Wolf said. “I’d rather play, but the doctor said it was best to have the surgery. I hope I’m not out that long I’d like to be back by Dec. 26th when we play the Celtics.”

“My knee was feeling really tight. The doctor thought it was an outside tear, but it’s an inside tear. How long I’m out will depend upon the extent of the tear.”

Clipper Notes

Clipper General Manager Elgin Baylor said he will wait to see how long forward Joe Wolf will be sidelined before deciding whether to bring in a replacement. Coach Gene Shue said the club would look to the Continental Basketball Assn. The Clippers’ next two games will be televised on Channel 5, Saturday in Seattle and Tuesday in Sacramento.