Kittles Should Get MRI Results Today

Clipper guard Kerry Kittles, sidelined indefinitely because of a strained back, will be evaluated today by a back specialist, the team said Sunday.

Kittles, who sat out all but five of the Clippers’ first 22 games because of a sore right knee, has been bothered by back pain and numbness down his legs for about a week and a half and had an MRI exam on Thursday at Minneapolis.

Kittles played only 10 minutes Tuesday at Utah and only eight Friday at Minnesota, sitting out the second half of each game.

“It is what it is,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said before Sunday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies. “It’s unfortunate. Obviously, we’d like to have him healthy. What he brings is good. We’ll just have to deal with it.”

The Clippers expect to know the MRI results today.

They traded for Kittles in July, hoping that the seven-year Net starter would provide veteran leadership, strong perimeter defense and a reliable third scoring option to complement Elton Brand and Corey Maggette.

Injuries, however, have limited his availability and productivity. He has averaged 5.6 points and the Clippers are 0-5 when he has played.

“The days that he’s practiced ... I’ll take exactly what I saw in practice,” Dunleavy said. “ ... I saw a lot of things out there [to] say, ‘Yeah, man, I’d like to have that for a lot of games. That would be terrific.’ ”

*

Backup center Zeljko Rebraca, sidelined since Nov. 28 because of back spasms, said that he was sound and could have played Sunday if needed. He is expected to fully participate in today’s practice.... Fewer than 100 tickets remain for the Clippers’ Jan. 14 game against Shaquille O’Neal and the Miami Heat.