Team Cautious About Maggette’s Return

Corey Maggette, on the injured list since Feb. 22 because of dislocated bones in his right hand, was cleared Saturday to practice with his teammates. It’s possible Maggette could be playing again by this time next week.

But the Clippers’ medical staff will wait to see how Maggette progresses after several practices this week before allowing him to play in a game. Maggette also is recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery.

“I would never put him out there without a practice,” Coach Alvin Gentry said. “If anybody could do it, Corey could. But we don’t want to do anything stupid. We want to make sure he’s 100%”

Although the Clippers have fared well enough without Maggette, winning seven of their last 11, Gentry said the team has missed his tenacity and athleticism.

“Of course we miss what he does,” Gentry said of Maggette, who filled in for the injured Lamar Odom as the Clippers’ starting small forward. “Somebody the other day said to me that we’re better without Lamar. Lamar Odom is a heck of a player. We’re not a better team without a guy who is a heck of a player. It’s the same thing with Corey. What Corey brings to our team, few guys in the league bring: competitiveness and toughness.”

Maggette, 6 feet 6 and 228 pounds, also has been Gentry’s defensive stopper this season.

“We put him on everybody, from point guards to small forwards to power forwards,” Gentry said of Maggette.

Tremaine Fowlkes has been replacing Maggette in the starting lineup and did so again Saturday against the Phoenix Suns.

Fowlkes has provided some, but certainly not all, of Maggette’s skills.

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Odom and the Clippers are expected to soon determine whether the versatile forward can play again this season.

He has been sidelined two months because of a sprained right wrist and ankle.

Odom, averaging 13 points, six rebounds and six assists, has not been cleared to practice and it appears doubtful that he will be fit to play again this season.

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Elliott Teaford