Richardson Practices, Hopes to Play Sunday

No pain, but some strain.

Quentin Richardson practiced with his teammates on Friday for the first time since leaving the Clippers on March 27 to seek additional medical opinions on his injured back. He reported no pain after the team’s workout at Staples Center and said he hoped to play Sunday against the San Antonio Spurs.

All but ruled out for the rest of the season by Coach Mike Dunleavy earlier in the week, Richardson went to see a back specialist in Miami and now a lack of conditioning could be the only thing keeping him from playing against the Spurs.

“I’m trying to get a couple of practices in,” he said. “I practiced the whole practice. I’ve had no pain since I went to Miami.”

Richardson is set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1 and may feel the need to prove his fitness to teams that might be interested in signing him.

With the Clippers mired in a 12-game losing streak and having lost 20 of 22, that seems to be the only reason he would risk playing again this season. The Clippers will miss the playoffs for the 17th time in 20 seasons in Los Angeles.

“We just need to see about his conditioning,” Dunleavy said of Richardson, who has been sidelined for 11 of the team’s last 12 games. “If he feels totally fine and there are no restrictions that’s fine. He kind of got over it. He waited it out. There’s virtually no pain, therefore it’s OK.”

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During the off-season, the coaching staff plans to keep close tabs on the team’s young big men -- Melvin Ely, Chris Kaman and Chris Wilcox. Dunleavy expects them to play with the team’s summer league squad.

“Guys have to get away from feeling like playing in the summer league is a demotion,” Dunleavy said.

“I played in summer leagues for a bunch of years. I played because I wanted to stay in shape and it was the best, safest place to play. I’d like to have some of our veteran guys come in and play too. It’s a good testing ground.”

The Clippers begin summer league play July 10 at the Pyramid at Long Beach State.