Collins Goes on Injured List

The Clippers got down to the 12-man limit Thursday by putting rookie guard James Collins, suffering from a strained lower back, on the injured list.

Collins, from Florida State, averaged 2.9 points in 5.4 minutes in exhibitions. He avoided the final cut earlier in the week because the Clippers wanted a backup in case James Robinson, slowed by a bone bruise on his right foot through most of training camp, was unable to suit up for the opener.

*

The Phoenix Suns got down to 12 by waiving guard Stephen Jackson, the team’s second-round draft pick, and putting forward/centers Tom Chambers, who has a strained lower back, and Loren Meyer, who had spinal surgery earlier this month, on the injured list.

TONIGHT

Phoenix

* 6 PST

* Channel 9

Site--America West Arena, Phoenix.

Radio--KEZY-FM (95.9).

Records (1996-97)--Clippers 36-46, Suns 40-42.

Record vs. Suns (1996-97)--2-2.

Update--After losing their season opener in the 1994-95 season, the first defeat in a horrendous 0-16 start, the Clippers have won their opener in each of the last two seasons, beating the Warriors at Golden State in last year’s first game, 97-85, and the Suns at the Sports Arena in the 1995-96 opener, 112-106. This is the first time the Suns have opened at home since the 1992-93 season, when they beat the Clippers, 111-105, in the first game played in America West Arena. Phoenix had dominated the Clippers for a while, winning nine in a row over a two-year span. But the Clippers have won six of the last nine meetings.