Rogers Comes Through for Clippers Again

How much does forward Rodney Rogers mean to the Clippers?

The Clippers, who were 4-11 when Rogers was sidelined because of a sprained ankle last month, are 3-0 since he was activated last week.

Rogers just missed the first triple-double of his NBA career, getting 17 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists as the Clippers beat the Phoenix Suns, 105-100, Tuesday night before a sellout crowd of 19,023 at the America West Arena.

“We haven’t lost since he came back,” Clipper center Brian Williams said of Rogers, who has helped the Clippers beat the Suns twice in the last five days. “Even if he has a broken leg, we’re going to have to dress him and get him out there.”

The injury-depleted Suns (13-17), who were without Charles Barkley (toe), Kevin Johnson (groin), John “Hot Rod” Williams (nerve irritation, right leg) and Steffano Rusconi (bruised heel), have lost four in a row for the first time since November, 1991. It’s also the first time since 1988 that the Suns have lost three consecutive home games.

“What we need right now is a win,” said Sun forward A.C. Green, who had a season-high 29 points and a career-high 20 rebounds. “We can’t worry about who’s hurt and when they’ll be back. We can’t worry about tomorrow, we’ve got to worry about today, and what we need today is a win.”

Guard Pooh Richardson tied his season high with 21 points as the Clippers (14-20) won in Phoenix for the first time in eight games dating back to March 20, 1992.

“People are going to say, ‘How bad do the Suns have to be to get beat by the Clippers?’ ” Williams said. “Hey, we have a good team. We’re 14-20 and we have a better record than at least 10 teams. If we are the Paper Clips, we stapled them tonight.”

The Clippers, who are 3-0 against the Suns this season, almost gave the game away. After leading 99-94, they drew two technical fouls in the final 1:27 as the Suns cut it to 101-100.

With the Clippers leading by five points, guard Malik Sealy drew a technical for complaining that he was fouled by Wesley Person with 1:27 remaining. Elliot Perry made the technical foul shot and Green added a dunk to cut the deficit to two with 1:04 left.

After Rogers made a layup for 101-97, the Suns scored three consecutive points after forward Loy Vaught drew a technical with 47 seconds left for slamming the ball to the court in frustration after he fouled Green going for a rebound after Rogers missed a free throw.

Perry made the technical foul shot and Green added two free throws to cut the deficit to 101-100.

However, Clipper swingman Charles Outlaw, a 39% free-throw shooter who opened the season by missing 10 of his first 11 free throws, made two free throws with 27 seconds left and Vaught added two free throws with 13 seconds remaining as the Clippers won their fourth in a row against the Suns.

“You know out there I was saying, ‘Dear God, help Bo [Outlaw],’ ” Clipper Coach Bill Fitch said. “If you look at the one liners and go back 20 years ago, I said, ‘In this league it’s a religious experience where all your prayers are answered, but most of the time the answer is no.’ But tonight Bo got two yeses.”

Clipper Notes

Charles Barkley, who sat out the game after undergoing surgery on his left big toe Monday, said he’s not concerned about reports that the Suns are trying to trade him to the Clippers. “I wouldn’t worry about it until it happens,” Barkley said. “I don’t like speculating. The Suns are obviously in control, but they’re in control of trading me and I feel like I’m in control of playing. I’m going to do what’s best for myself. Whether people call that selfish, that’s their prerogative,” Said Clipper spokesman Joe Safety: “We never discuss trade rumors, but this one is just not true.” There are also reports that the New York Knicks have offered Charles Oakley for Barkley.