Thumb Injury Sidelines Barry

Guard Brent Barry is expected to be sidelined three to four weeks because of a sprained left thumb.

“It’s not the best news I’ve heard all day,’ Barry said after being examined by team physician Tony Daly. “I’m pretty frustrated. I’ve been waiting a long time to get the season started. But all I can do is stay in the best shape I can be in and be ready when I can play again.”

Coach Bill Fitch said that Barry will probably begin the season on the injured list, meaning he will have to sit out at least five games.

Barry was injured in last Tuesday’s 96-91 exhibition loss at Orlando.

But Barry hasn’t lost his sense of humor.

“My Nintendo play is suffering right now,” Barry said. “And my piano playing is going to have to stop for a little bit. I shouldn’t miss any free throws with all the practice I’m going to be getting.”

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Center Stanley Roberts, reinstated last Friday after a 10-day suspension for insubordination, is being run into shape by Coach Bill Fitch, who said last week that he would probably hold Roberts out of the final three exhibition games because he feared Roberts might be more susceptible to injury because he’s not fit.

“He’s holding up good,” Fitch said. “He’s taking everything we throw at him, and if he continues to work, you may get to see him [play] before the week is over.”

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The Clippers play an exhibition game against Philadelphia at the Pond of Anaheim tonight at 7:30.