Clippers’ Wright Puts Himself in Position to Play in Rookie Game

Sixth among first-year players in rebounding and fourth in shooting, despite playing only 18.9 minutes a game, Lorenzen Wright is the Clipper forward who played center all the way to the rookie all-star game.

A string of injuries got him to Gund Arena as part of the eight-man Western Conference squad. First, his teammates, Stanley Roberts and Kevin Duckworth, went down because of injuries, creating an opportunity, even if it was at center. Then, Samaki Walker of the Dallas Mavericks had to pull out of the rookie game, opening a spot for Wright.

“It’s very exciting,” he said Friday, arriving in town after a mini-vacation in Memphis that was available because the Clippers had been off since beating the Lakers on Tuesday. “I went home for a couple days and had a little fun because we got done so quick. But I can’t wait to get at it.

“I just want to hang out with everybody. Nobody in particular.”

Not even one of the legends here as part of the NBA’s 50th anniversary celebration?

“I get to talk to a legend every day in [Clipper General Manager] Elgin Baylor,” Wright said. “That’s motivation enough.”