Brand Feeling Like a New Man

If the pressure of leading the suddenly banged-up Clippers is getting to power forward Elton Brand, it certainly hasn’t showed. In fact, he seems to be relishing the challenge.

Brand, who turns 23 next week, was among the injured until recently. But the stretched tendon in his right ring finger has significantly improved in the last few days and he no longer has it heavily taped as protection.

“It’s feeling better,” he said of his finger, which was injured Feb. 7 against the Detroit Pistons. “I’m getting ready for this playoff run. It definitely starts down there in the post. With this rash of injuries we’ve had, it’s going to be up to me to get our team right there [into a playoff spot].”

Brand had averaged 23.8 points and 18.5 rebounds in the four games before the Clippers faced the Golden State Warriors on Saturday at Staples Center. He scored 27 points and took a career-best 23 rebounds in the Clippers’ victory Feb. 25 against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Asked if his play last week coincided with his finger’s improved condition, Brand held out the digit for inspection.

“It looks bad,” he said. “But it’s not as swollen as it was. It’s a basketball injury. It’s definitely something you can play with.”

With the Clippers three games out of a playoff spot going into Saturday’s game, it was going to take something more serious than a sore finger to keep Brand off the court. After all, this is his first playoff race after spending his first two NBA seasons with the woebegone Chicago Bulls.

“Now I have something to play for,” he said. “My first two years, basically, we were just playing for pride at this point. No one here, except Sean Rooks, has ever been in the playoffs. We’re definitely pumped up. We’re definitely playing for something more than pride.”

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Center Michael Olowokandi started, as expected, after sitting out Tuesday’s 94-84 victory over the Houston Rockets because of a slightly sprained left knee. An MRI exam performed Thursday was negative and he was cleared to play against the Warriors.

Coach Alvin Gentry started seldom-used backup Obinna Ekezie against Houston and played Rooks more than usual.

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The Warriors were without Jason Richardson, who sprained his left ankle in Friday’s loss against Sacramento and did not make the trip.

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Elliott Teaford