Maggette Is ‘Ready to Go’

Corey Maggette practiced with his teammates Sunday and said, “I’m ready to go. I’m waiting to get the OK.” He has been sidelined since Feb. 22 because of dislocated bones in his right hand. While he sat out, he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

“The wrist is not 100%,” said Maggette, who was filling in for the injured Lamar Odom as the starting small forward. “The knee is not an issue. I’m jumping higher and better than I did before.”

Coach Alvin Gentry did not rule out removing Maggette from the injured list today and playing him tonight against San Antonio.

“It’s not out of the question, put it that way,” Gentry said, smiling broadly. “He wants to play. He’s dying to play.”

There’s little question the Clippers, who are 21/2 games out of a playoff spot, could use a spark from Maggette. He is perhaps their best defensive player and, certainly, their toughest-minded.

He freely acknowledged, however, that punching the scorer’s table in anger during a loss Feb. 21 against the Orlando Magic and injuring his hand wasn’t the least bit helpful to the Clippers.

“I wasn’t mad at myself,” he said. “It was an opportunity to get my knee straight. Everybody gets injuries--maybe not as stupid as mine--but everybody comes back.”

TONIGHT

vs. San Antonio

7:30, Fox Sports Net 2

Site--Staples Center.

Radio--KXTA (1150).

Records--Clippers 36-34, Spurs 48-21.

Record vs. Spurs--1-2.

Update--San Antonio has won 12 in a row. The Clippers ended a 15-game losing streak against the Spurs with a victory Jan. 31 at San Antonio.

Tickets--(800) 462-2849.