Foot Injury Leaves Odom Very Doubtful

Lamar Odom thought there was something wrong with his left foot after Golden State’s Danny Fortson fell on it during the first half of the Clippers’ 110-108 overtime loss Saturday night.

Odom knew there was something wrong the moment he took off his shoe in the locker room after the game.

He and the Clippers will learn more about the injury when X-rays are taken today, but it sounded likely that the small forward would miss tonight’s game against the Atlanta Hawks.

“Doubtful, very doubtful,” he said when asked if he could play tonight.

“I’m disappointed because I made a couple of shots and I made a couple of drives to the hole. I feel like I’m defending the ball well and rebounding well. I’m not making too many turnovers. I definitely don’t want a hurt foot.”

Odom, after a sluggish opener last week against the San Antonio Spurs, rebounded with his best game of the season Saturday against the Warriors. He had 18 points and seven rebounds in 41 minutes.

“It’s just a freak thing,” he said.

Odom also hopes the injury heals quickly. Last season, he battled a nagging wrist injury that never seemed to get better until the off-season.

“Hopefully, this is just like a sprained ankle,” said Odom, who used crutches to get around Sunday. “We’ll take the X-rays and make sure there’s nothing wrong with the bones.”

If Odom can’t play, then Coach Alvin Gentry will start Corey Maggette at small forward. Maggette has been one of a number reserves who have been “itching” for more playing time, according to Gentry.

Maggette did not disagree with that assessment.

“It’s tough,” he said of playing only a few minutes in each of the first three games. “I need to play to help the team. We need to win some games, then everything else will be squared away.”

Maggette had two points in 15 minutes Saturday and has yet to play extended minutes.

TONIGHT

vs. Atlanta

7:30, Fox Sports Net 2

Site--Staples Center.

Radio--KXTA (1150).

Records--Clippers 0-3, Hawks 1-2.

Record vs. Hawks (2000-01)--1-1.

Update--Gentry is still concerned about the team’s inability to box out. The Clippers gave up 21 offensive rebounds Saturday against Golden State. Overall, the Warriors outrebounded the Clippers, 49-44. Atlanta won its first game of the season Saturday, defeating the Miami Heat, 90-83. The Hawks and Clippers each have lost to the Houston Rockets in overtime.

Tickets--(800) 462-2849.