Murdock Is Put on Injured List

On Sept. 23, 1999, the Clippers thought they had solved their problems at point guard when they acquired veteran Eric Murdock from the New Jersey Nets.

Two seasons ago, Murdock showed what he can do when healthy when he was a valuable contributor for the Miami Heat. Since then, Murdock has suffered one injury after another.

With the Clippers, Murdock has battled injuries all season. On Wednesday, the team put him on the injured list because of a sprain of his left ankle.

“The thing with him is that he tries to play a game and then he’s out for four or five,” interim Coach Jim Todd said. “We talked about it and we need him to be 100% healthy and to be able to give us something the rest of the way. We’re hoping [after his stay on the injured list] he’ll be ready to go.”

The Clippers do not plan to fill his roster spot but that might change after today’s trade deadline.

“We may have to bring somebody else in,” Todd said. “But right now, we’ll just wait and see.”

TONIGHT

vs. Minnesota, 5

* Site--Target Center.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records--Clippers 11-44; Timberwolves 29-23.

* Record vs. Timberwolves--1-1.

* Update--This will be the final game of a seven-game trip for the Clippers, their longest of the season. In November, the Clippers defeated the Timberwolves, 89-85, at Minneapolis. But last month, Minnesota defeated the Clippers, 95-89, at Staples Center. Forward Kevin Garnett leads the Timberwolves in scoring (23.1 points) and rebounding (12.1).