Clippers Enjoy Two Rare Sights

Midway through the first quarter of an otherwise meaningless game Sunday, a vaguely familiar figure emerged from the shadows of the tunnel leading from the Clipper locker room to the Staples Center court.

Several of the 18,268 in attendance caught sight of the man as he strode with a wry smile toward the Clipper bench, dressed in a khaki shirt and blue pants -- unremarkable except for his 7-foot frame. The fans began to boo and then you knew.

Yes, that was indeed center Michael Olowokandi making his first appearance at a Clipper game since undergoing what he hopes was not season-ending surgery on his left knee Feb. 3.

Later, after cheering Lamar Odom’s go-ahead jump shot from the left wing with 2.3 seconds left that gave the Clippers a 111-110 victory over the Toronto Raptors, Olowokandi said it was good to be back with his teammates.

With only 16 games remaining, their days and nights together would seem to be numbered.

Olowokandi will be an unrestricted free agent July 1, and his lengthy absence from the team has added to speculation that he will not be a Clipper after this season -- even if it means taking less money for fewer seasons to play elsewhere.

“I missed him,” Odom said of Olowokandi. “I told him I missed him. Off the court, we’ve got to be one of the closest teams in the league. I know we don’t always show it on the court, but I would never ask Mike, ‘Where have you been?’ ”

Olowokandi’s answer, when asked by The Times several weeks ago about his absence, was that swelling from his surgery and slower-than-expected rehabilitation made it impossible for him to sit for long stretches. He spent most of Sunday’s game seated with his legs extended almost to the sideline in front of him.

“I’m better,” Olowokandi said. “I’m making strides and making progress every day. I’m definitely on the right course. I look forward to coming back. I would like to play some games [before the season ends April 16].”

However, he declined to guess at the odds of his return.

“I have absolutely no idea,” he said. “It is promising. I am making progress from week to week, especially last week. I’ve spoken to some of the guys on the phone, but it’s definitely special to see them again in person.”

Olowokandi picked a winning night for his first public appearance at Staples Center in six weeks. The Clippers made Dennis Johnson a winner for only the second time in eight games since he replaced Alvin Gentry as coach March 3.

Odom rallied the Clippers, but failed as often as he succeeded in the closing moments.

First, he whipped a pass to Eric Piatkowski, whose three-pointer enabled the Clippers to close to within 110-109 with 1:14 to play. Next, Odom dribbled the ball out of bounds with 34.5 seconds remaining. Then, he hoisted an airball that the Raptors fumbled out of bounds with 5.7 seconds left.

Finally, he accepted the ensuing inbounds pass from Marko Jaric, moved smartly out of the left-hand corner and lofted the game-winner over Jerome Williams with 2.3 seconds remaining. Those were the last of Odom’s 25 points on 10-for-20 shooting.