List of Injured Is Growing

Asked what he wanted for Christmas, Coach Mike Dunleavy looked around at his injury-depleted squad wrapping up practice Thursday at a health club in El Segundo and said, “Two guards and a forward.”

Dunleavy’s general manager, Elgin Baylor, is shopping for two items on that wish list, looking at American Basketball Assn. guards Felipe Lopez of the Long Beach Jam and Derrick Dial of the Orange County Crush. Both players worked out for the Clippers after practice.

Lopez was waived earlier this season by the Dallas Mavericks. Dial is the ultimate journeyman, having played in the NBA, United States Basketball League and Continental Basketball Assn. before landing in the ABA.

The Clippers need to find able bodies somewhere. Thursday’s practice, the last before a two-day holiday break, was non-contact because of the lack of available players.

Kerry Kittles (back), Quinton Ross (hip) and Marko Jaric (foot) all sat out drills and Corey Maggette (groin) worked only lightly.

In addition, Bobby Simmons, coming off a career-high 30-point game against the New Orleans Hornets, has been added to the long injury list because of a sore left foot.

“We want to catch it before it gets worse,” Dunleavy said.

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Forward Elton Brand plans to spend the two-day break immersing himself in family holiday celebrations. “It’s a good chance to take your mind off basketball,” he said.

Well, not completely.

Brand says he’ll be in front of the television Saturday, watching the Lakers and the Miami Heat.

Referring to Shaquille O’Neal’s description of what might happen if Kobe Bryant tries to drive the lane on him, Brand said, “I want to see that Corvette hit the brick wall. I want to see a good collision.”