Hardaway Is Hands-Down Winner : Pro basketball: Despite injured wrist, Warrior guard helps Golden State dismantle the Clippers, 120-107.

Guard Tim Hardaway of Golden State flashed a smile after throwing a clever behind-the-back pass to teammate Latrell Sprewell for a layup in the Warriors’ 120-107 victory over the Clippers on Wednesday before 15,025 at the Oakland Coliseum Arena.

Hardaway hasn’t had much to smile about during the Warriors’ winter of discontent.

Considered a contender for the NBA championship, the Warriors have seen their season turn into a countdown to the NBA draft lottery. Coach Don Nelson couldn’t get along with star forward Chris Webber, so the Warriors shipped Webber to Washington for forward Tom Gugliotta and three first-round draft picks.

The loss of Webber fractured the Warriors’ already fragile chemistry and Nelson, who also served as general manager, was fired last month; Gugliotta was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves for rookie forward Donyell Marshall.

Injuries also took their toll.

Chris Mullin has played only two games this season because of knee and ankle injuries, and center Rony Seikaly is out for the season because of an ankle injury.

Hardaway, the only Warrior who has played every game this season, will soon join them on the injured list because of a wrist injury.

Playing what may have been his final game of the season, Hardaway beat the Clippers with one hand, getting 23 points and 16 assists as the Warriors dispatched the Clippers for the third time in four games this season. The teams meet again Friday night at the Sports Arena in the final game of their regular-season series.

Hardaway, who scored 31 points in Monday night’s 106-103 victory over Seattle, made 10 of 20 shots as the Warriors built a 23-point third-quarter cushion.

“It looks like he’s handling it pretty good,” Clipper Coach Bill Fitch said. “I was watching him play Sunday and he took a fall and put both arms out. If he can handle that, he can handle playing. As long as they’re playing well and he’s doing well, we’ll see him Friday.”

Hardaway was examined Wednesday morning by Dr. Norman Zemel, a hand specialist at the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic in Inglewood. Zemel confirmed the previous diagnosis that Hardaway has torn ligaments in his left wrist. He has been advised to have surgery and said he’ll probably have it done this weekend. He expects to be sidelined for three months.

“I knew what it was,” Hardaway said. “I just wanted a third opinion to clarify what my options were. Basically, I don’t have no options. It’s get it done.”

Fitch told Hardaway after the game that the injury didn’t appear to hamper his game.

But Hardaway said the injury hinders everyday life.

“Picking up my kids, I almost dropped them,” Hardaway said.

Sprewell, the Warriors’ all-star guard, scored 33 points as the Warriors won two consecutive games for the first time since back-to-back victories over the Washington Bullets and Lakers in late December. Chris Gatling had 25 points and 12 rebounds.

While the Warriors’ starting backcourt of Hardaway and Sprewell combined for 56 points and 19 assists, Clipper guards Pooh Richardson and Malik Sealy combined for only 17 points.

Richardson missed three of four shots and scored two points and Sealy had 15 points, but missed nine of 14 shots. Eric Piatkowski had a team-high 18 points.