Kaman Sidelined by Appendectomy

Chris Kaman’s star-crossed sophomore season took another unfortunate turn when the 7-foot Clipper center underwent an emergency appendectomy early Wednesday morning at a hospital in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Kaman had returned to his hometown of Wyoming, Mich., taking a red-eye out of LAX after Monday night’s game against the Charlotte Bobcats, to attend a ceremony in which his uniform number was retired at Tri-Unity Christian High.

Kaman, a starter as a rookie, had resumed playing only two weeks ago after sitting out the season’s first 11 games because of a sprained left ankle.

Though he had averaged only 2.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 13 minutes in seven games since his return, he was penciled in as a starter for Saturday night’s game against the Lakers, Coach Mike Dunleavy said, because Elton Brand will serve a one-game NBA suspension.

Instead, he probably will be sidelined for at least two weeks.

“Short term, it’s kind of tough,” Dunleavy said. “I thought he played well in our last game, down the stretch against Charlotte. ... It’s really about his energy. He gives us good energy on the floor defensively.”

Chris Wilcox has averaged 12.4 points on 51.2% shooting, 6.2 rebounds and 28.9 minutes filling in as the starting center, but his production and playing time dropped markedly after Kaman’s return. Wilcox averaged 7.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 22.7 minutes in the last seven games, making 42.6% of his shots.

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Dunleavy said it was “not for sure” that Kerry Kittles would play against the Lakers after indicating earlier this week that he probably would.... Marko Jaric did not practice because of a sore back, Zeljko Rebraca because of back spasms. Corey Maggette was limited because of a sore left ankle.