At Least They’re Almost Healthy

The Clippers took another step toward being whole Wednesday, when guards Marko Jaric and Quentin Richardson returned against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Jaric spent eight games on the injured list because of a sprained left ankle. Richardson was out four games because of the same injury.

The Clippers are still without starting shooting guard Eric Piatkowski, who has been on the injured list since suffering a lower abdominal strain Dec. 10 against the Dallas Mavericks.

“We need all the outside shooting we can get,” Coach Alvin Gentry said.

Opponents have taken advantage of the Clippers’ lack of outside threats, collapsing on center Michael Olowokandi and power forward Elton Brand. The Clippers dropped to 5-11 since Piatkowski’s injury, falling into last place in the Pacific Division.

“It’s been a factor,” Gentry said when asked if the team’s slide could be linked to the injuries of its shooting guards. “We miss Pike. Obviously, he can stretch the floor [pulling defenders away from the post]. Marko has played three positions for us [point guard, shooting guard and small forward]. Q [Richardson] has played well for us in stretches when he hasn’t been injured.”

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The Clippers placed backup forward Tremaine Fowlkes on the injured list because of a strained right shoulder.