Odom Is Tantalizingly Close

Lamar Odom ran from baseline to baseline with gusto Tuesday at the American Airlines Center, sweat pouring from his brow. He swished jump shot after jump shot.

Then he showered, changed into his street clothes and watched the Clippers lose by 27 points to the Dallas Mavericks, sitting out his 22nd game to start this season. He hasn’t played since going on the injured list Jan. 24.

It’s going to be like this for a while longer.

Odom’s expected return date is believed to be Dec. 28, when the Clippers play host to the Golden State Warriors, although it appeared Tuesday that his sore right wrist and ankle were sufficiently sound to allow him to play against the Mavericks. He has been practicing with his teammates for more than a week, and by all accounts, he has been dominating scrimmages.

The Clippers are determined to stick to a conservative course with Odom, whose 11-month absence from organized play is of some concern to their medical staff.

Odom injured his wrist after a fall last Dec. 16 against the Detroit Pistons, but he tried to play through it until going on the injured list. While rehabilitating his wrist, Odom stepped on a stray basketball while trying to dunk with his left hand and sprained his right ankle.

“They keep telling me he’ll be back right after Christmas,” Coach Alvin Gentry said. “He’s getting stronger every day.”

Meanwhile, Michael Olowokandi is set to come off the injured list after sitting out the required five games because of tendinitis in his left knee. Olowokandi is expected to play Friday against the San Antonio Spurs.