Skinner Has a Short Homecoming

For rookie forward Brian Skinner, the Clippers chose a good time to activate him off the injured list. The Texas native had spent the first three weeks of the season rehabilitating a left knee injury before playing against Atlanta last Saturday.

With the Clippers starting a three-game Texas trip Tuesday against the Dallas Mavericks, Skinner was more than happy to finally get some playing time.

“I’m still missing some things . . . some of the stuff that is happening right now, I’m not too familiar with,” Skinner said. “What I need is time. I’m not going to make myself a better shooter or a better player overnight. I’m going to have to work at it.”

After the Clippers fell behind by 20 points midway in the first quarter, Skinner came off the bench and helped spark a rally that cut the Mavericks’ lead to 53-48 at halftime.

Skinner did not play in the second half, but Coach Chris Ford said he was happy with his play. He finished with five points and two rebounds in five minutes.

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Guard Charles Smith of Fort Worth was taken off the injured list before Tuesday’s game after sitting out the last six games because of shin splints. After not playing all year, Smith played 10 minutes in the second half and had five points and two rebounds.

“I was a little [surprised to play so much] but I took it in stride,” said Smith, who had at least three of his shots blocked by Dallas’ Shawn Bradley. “I was grateful that Coach stuck with me for a minute after a couple of blocks. He let me go out there and play and show what I can do.”

Smith was activated because center Stojko Vrankovic was put on the injured list for the second time this season because of back spasms.

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The 38 points in the first quarter by the Mavericks was the most given up in a quarter by the Clippers this year.