Maggette Bemoans Missed Free Throw in His Return

Clipper forward Corey Maggette said he felt fine after playing his first game since dislocating two bones in his right hand after punching the scorer’s table in disgust Feb. 21 against the Orlando Magic.

His hand felt fine. His left knee, upon which he had arthroscopic surgery while he was on the injured list, felt fine. His conditioning was fine. His defense was fine.

“It was fine,” Maggette said. “Everything’s good. It was great going out there and playing however many minutes I played. I would have been happy if I played only one minute.”

For the record, Maggette scored five points in eight minutes in the Clippers’ victory over the Phoenix Suns. He made one of two free throws with nine seconds to play, which enabled the Suns to rally to tie the score, 94-94, on Stephon Marbury’s three-point basket with three seconds left.

“I’m disappointed I missed that free throw,” Maggette said. “It slipped.”

Coach Alvin Gentry did not place any limits on Maggette’s playing time before the game but wasn’t about to start him in place of Tremaine Fowlkes--at least not yet. Fowlkes has started at small forward since Feb. 25.

Maggette had been starting in place of the injured Lamar Odom.

“I’ve got to try to work him into the rotation now,” Gentry said. “I thought he was fine and did a good job.”

In order to make room on the roster for Maggette, the Clippers put forward Obinna Ekezie on the injured list because of tendinitis in his left knee.

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TONIGHT

vs. Utah

7:30, Fox Sports Net 2

Site--Staples Center.

Radio--KXTA (1150).

Records--Clippers 37-36, Jazz 40-32.

Record vs. Jazz--0-2.

Update--Besides tonight, the Clippers and Jazz play again Wednesday at Salt Lake City. The Clippers have lost 12 consecutive games against Utah and have lost all 21 games they have played at the Delta Center, one of only two teams without a victory there. The Cleveland Cavaliers are the other.

Tickets--Sold out.

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Elliott Teaford