Closs Excused, but Punished

One hour before the start of Friday night’s game against Minnesota, Clipper center Keith Closs’ locker was still untouched and Closs was no where to be found.

According to team officials, Closs was excused from the game because of the birth of his child. Closs, however, was fined for missing the team’s shootaround Friday morning, practice on Thursday and for leaving Wednesday’s workout early.

“He’s not here with permission and he’s been fined for breaking team rules,” said Joe Safety, vice president of communications. “He was fined for leaving practice, missing practice and missing the shootaround.”

Closs, who is in his third season with the team and was suspended twice last season, is expected to meet with Coach Chris Ford and Vice President Elgin Baylor today before practice.

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Lamar Odom and Michael Olowokandi were selected to play in the Rookie Challenge, featuring the last two draft classes, during all-star weekend next month in Oakland.

No Clippers were named for the three-point shooting or dunk contests. Tyrone Nesby was left off the dunk list in favor of Toronto’s Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady, Golden State’s Antawn Jamison, Philadelphia’s Larry Hughes and Detroit’s Jerry Stackhouse.