Maggette Probably Is Out for the Season

Corey Maggette probably will sit out the rest of the regular season because of dislocated bones in his right hand, Clipper Coach Alvin Gentry said Friday. Maggette, who had been filling in for the injured Lamar Odom as the team’s starting small forward, also had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Thursday.

“I’ll be surprised if Corey plays again this year,” Gentry said. “He’s going to be out at least another month, and that gets us into April. It doesn’t make sense to rush him back as the season is winding down. If we’re in the playoffs, it’s a different story.”

Maggette injured himself during the Clippers’ loss last week at Orlando, punching the scorer’s table in anger after a referee’s call went against him. He had been nursing a sore knee for several months and it was decided that he would undergo the arthroscopic procedure while his hand injury sidelined him.

“If anyone can do it, he can,” Gentry said of Maggette’s wish to return before the end of the regular season. “I told him not to get crazy with this thing. He’s got to be healthy before he plays again. It’s funny. He’s played through the knee, an elbow, a shoulder and he does this to himself.”

Gentry also indicated backup point guard Keyon Dooling might be sidelined for most of the rest of the season and the team is seeking free-agent help for the short term. Dooling suffered a sprained left ankle Nov. 14 and is not yet sound.

“At this stage, we’re not going to rush him back,” Gentry said. “We’re also not going to have just two point guards [starter Jeff McInnis and backup Earl Boykins] on our roster.”

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Center Michael Olowokandi practiced with the team Friday and will play tonight. Olowokandi sprained his left knee Monday against Memphis and did not play Tuesday against Houston. An MRI exam taken Thursday was negative.

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TONIGHT

vs. Golden State

7:30, Fox Sports Net 2

Site--Staples Center.

Radio--KXTA (1150).

Records--Clippers 29-30, Warriors 16-40.

Record vs. Warriors--0-1.

Update--The teams have not played since the Clippers lost to the Warriors in their home opener Nov. 3 at Staples Center. Golden State has lost nine of 11, including Friday’s home loss to the Sacramento Kings. Tonight’s game is the lone home game for the Clippers in a stretch during which they play nine of 10 on the road. They were 3-2 on their recent trip to Miami, Orlando, Indiana, Memphis and Houston. They begin a four-game trip Wednesday against the Bucks at Milwaukee.

Tickets--(800) 462-2849.

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Elliott Teaford