Wright Confident Despite Struggles

Center Lorenzen Wright, who averaged 7.7 points and 7.5 rebounds last month, has averaged only five points and 6.7 rebounds in three games since playing in the Rookie All-Star game on Feb. 8 in Cleveland.

“He’s struggling right now,” Clipper Coach Bill Fitch said of Wright, shooting only 20% in his last two games. “He’s hit that well-known rookie wall.

Wright said he’ll be OK.

“I played against some tough [centers] who played good defense on me the last two games,” Wright said, referring to Sacramento King center Olden Polynice and Phoenix Sun swingman Mark Bryant. “I don’t feel tired, I feel pretty good. I feel pretty good at practice, now I’ve just got to take it onto the court.”

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Fitch said the Clippers plan to put center Kevin Duckworth on the injured list because of a sore left foot.

The Clippers are likely to activate center Dwayne Schintzius, who has missed 38 games because of ankle and back injuries.