Playing in Pond, Short One Owner

Resuming their flirtation with Orange County, the Clippers opened the Pond phase of their season Saturday night before a large boisterous crowd and no Donald T. Sterling.

Sterling, the Clipper owner, rarely comes to the Pond, the venue many of his staffers have been trying to convince him to move to. Sterling came close to moving the team two years ago but backed off.

The Clippers averaged 15,231 in six games last season, almost double the 8,836 they averaged in the Sports Arena.

Rumors customarily circulate late in the season, around the deadline the Clippers have for terminating their Sports Arena lease, that this is the year they’re coming. For the moment, however, everything is quiet.

“It’s settled into being what we always envisioned,” said Clipper vice president Andy Roeser. “Just accept it for what it is, a part of the schedule.”

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Loy Vaught, who sat out Friday’s game in Sacramento because of a jammed right big toe, tried to play off the bench Saturday but lasted only 11 minutes.

“He’s not very healthy,” Coach Bill Fitch said. “He played, but they were going around him like it was me out there. He gave it a shot but I don’t blame him. He’s not ready to move on it.”

Fitch hopes to have Vaught back by the Clippers’ next game, Tuesday at Vancouver.