Team Suspends Closs After He Misses Practice

The Keith Closs saga continued Saturday when the backup center failed to show for practice at Staples Center.

Closs spoke to Elgin Baylor, vice president of basketball operations, and Coach Chris Ford by phone Friday and, according to team officials, agreed to meet with them before Saturday’s practice.

When Closs didn’t show, the Clippers suspended him indefinitely.

“The decision was reached mutually by the basketball staff,” said Joe Safety, vice president of communications. “He was aware that he was supposed to be at [Saturday’s practice] or this would happen. He didn’t talk to anyone within the organization.”

Closs, who has averaged 3.9 points and 2.7 rebounds in 23 games, is expected to be fined for missing Saturday’s workout. Closs was fined for missing a shoot-around Friday morning, practice on Thursday, and for leaving Wednesday’s workout early. Closs was excused from Friday night’s game against Minnesota because of the birth of his child.

Ford declined to comment on Closs after Saturday’s practice and his teammates said they had not been contacted by him.

Closs has had problems off the court the last two seasons. Last season, he was suspended for two games because of disciplinary reasons. Early this season, Closs was excused from a couple of practices for legal reasons. Last month, he was sent home early from a workout after a scuffle with teammate Maurice Taylor.

The latest episode for Closs began when he became unhappy over a lack of playing time. He was more than an hour late for a team flight Monday and walked away from Ford when he was told to complete a weight-training workout Wednesday. Closs then skipped Thursday’s practice and a morning shoot-around before Friday night’s loss to the Timberwolves.

“To say that his communication with the team has been lacking would be an understatement,” Safety said.

TONIGHT

vs. Orlando, 7:30

Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records--Clippers 10-29, Magic 17-24.

* Record vs. Magic (1999)--Did not play.

* Update--Point guard Darrell Armstrong leads Orlando in scoring (16.8 points), assists (6.5), steals (2.05) and minutes (32). Forward Ben Wallace leads the Magic in rebounding (7.1). Orlando had lost four in a row before winning Saturday at Vancouver.

* Tickets--(213) 480-3232.