Players Upbeat but Ford Cautious

The mood around the Clipper practice Monday was the most positive it has been in weeks. After Sunday’s victory over Minnesota, the team’s second win in 24 games, the players seemed to have gotten back some of the optimism they had in training camp.

Coach Chris Ford, however, was cautious about the feel-good moment.

“It’s only one win,” he said.

If the Clippers are to avoid another losing streak, they will have to do something they haven’t done this season--build on success.

“The guys seemed very happy after the game and on the flight back,” Ford said. “But they have to be willing to do what they did [to get the win].”

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Sherman Douglas sat out Sunday’s game because of a thigh strain and underwent an MRI test Monday. For the last month, he has been bothered by a nagging groin injury. That then led to his thigh problem as he tried to play through the pain.

If Douglas is ruled out for some time, the Clippers cannot count on playing Darrick Martin 48 minutes a game, as they did Sunday.

Ford said he has gone over some options with Elgin Baylor, vice president of basketball operations. The Clippers could stand pat, with shooting guard Charles Smith as Martin’s backup until Pooh Richardson is eligible to leave the injured list--he has three games remaining--or the team could sign a free-agent point guard to a 10-day contract.