Brand’s Return Is a Much-Needed Boost

Elton Brand couldn’t reverse the Clippers’ sagging fortunes in limited action Friday during his first game back from a broken foot, but the star forward’s return signifies perhaps the first positive for the team since an early-season four-game winning streak.

“We’re just happy to have him back and trying to get him in the flow and get him going,” said Coach Mike Dunleavy, who lauded Brand’s 13-point, three-rebound performance in 19 minutes during the Clippers’ 86-67 loss to the Utah Jazz.

After the Clippers concluded practice Saturday morning at L.A. Southwest College, Brand said he was pain-free and playing “above 70%.”

“I’m feeling pretty good,” said Brand, who sat out 13 games since the Clippers’ opener Oct. 31. “I didn’t play a lot of minutes [Friday], but I think for the minutes I played, I was pretty productive and I felt good. The minutes will increase as I get into the swing of things.”

Dunleavy said it would be difficult to assess the Clippers’ capabilities until Brand returns to full strength and forward Chris Wilcox and guard Eddie House come back from minor injuries. While there was no update on the status of House, Wilcox is expected back no later than Wednesday’s game against Dallas.

“We’ve got to get guys back to being healthy first,” Dunleavy said. “Then there’s so many things they’re still learning, fundamental things [like] reads. It’s going to take this group a little bit of time.”

Brand, who averaged 18.5 points and 11 rebounds last season, said he noticed during his five-week stint on the bench that the Clippers weren’t paying enough attention to detail.

“It’s just little things: coming off picks, defending,” Brand said. “It’s a pivotal point right now. We have some pretty good teams we’re playing [in the next week]. If we win the games we’re supposed to win and beat some of the upper-echelon teams, we’ll be all right.”

After playing host to the Minnesota Timberwolves today, the Clippers (6-9) play at Sacramento on Tuesday before playing host to Dallas on Wednesday and Phoenix on Saturday.

Dunleavy said the Clippers must get better each game by improving their ball movement and shot selection, and reducing turnovers.

“We do those fundamental things,” Dunleavy said, “we’ll pretty much be in every single game.”

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TODAY

vs. Minnesota, 12:30 p.m., Channel 5

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- KLAC (570).

Records -- Clippers 6-9, Timberwolves 11-8.

Record vs. Timberwolves -- 0-1.

Update -- Former Clipper center Michael Olowokandi is doubtful for today’s game after sitting out Minnesota’s 112-109 overtime victory at Sacramento on Friday. Olowokandi was reportedly scheduled to have his ailing right knee examined by a doctor Saturday in Los Angeles. There is nothing wrong with center Kevin Garnett, who had 30 points and 19 rebounds in the Timberwolves’ 103-91 victory over the Clippers last month at Minneapolis.