Ankle Sprain Puts Jaric on Sideline

Like ships passing in the night (and on stormy seas), one Clipper returned from the injured list and another’s name was put on it.

Lamar Odom returned to the court Saturday after an 11-month layoff because of wrist and ankle injuries, but Marko Jaric had to go on the injured list after suffering a high sprain of his left ankle during Friday’s loss against the Phoenix Suns.

It’s the same injury Odom suffered Feb. 18, but to the right ankle. Remarkably enough, Jaric walked without a limp Saturday. X-rays taken of his ankle were negative.

“I don’t know what to think,” he said as he entered the team’s locker room before Saturday’s game against the Golden State Warriors. “It’s amazing. They put me on the injured list, but I don’t know....”

Jaric must sit out at least five games, which means he cannot be activated until after the Clippers’ game Jan. 5 against the San Antonio Spurs. He had been filling in for shooting guard Eric Piatkowski, who was put on the injured list Friday because of a lower abdominal strain suffered Dec. 10.

Piatkowski went on the injured list just as Corey Maggette was activated after sitting out a month after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

Jaric, a 24-year-old rookie from Yugoslavia, averaged 10.1 points and 5.2 assists in his last 10 games. His season averages are 7.9 points and 3.1 assists. He was the last player in Coach Alvin Gentry’s usual rotation to be sidelined by injury.

“It may look like he’s walking good,” Gentry said of Jaric. “But to actually make turns and cuts is another story. I was looking forward to having him and Lamar and Andre Miller on the floor together. They’re three good ballhandlers who can move the ball and create things.”