Dooling Resurfaces

Gary Payton can be excused for not seeing Keyon Dooling.

Nobody has seen much of the Clipper guard lately.

But given some playing time, though not a starting spot, because of an injury to Marko Jaric, Dooling has responded spectacularly. Sunday night at Staples Center, he soared from behind with 3.9 seconds remaining to block a layup attempt by the Lakers’ Payton that could have tied the score in a game the Clippers won, 101-98.

It has been a struggle for Dooling just to get on the court. The fourth-year guard started 10 of the Clippers’ first 11 games, but hasn’t started since and hasn’t even played in eight of the last 18 games.

Dooling is averaging 16.5 minutes, is shooting 37.6% and is three of 16 on three-pointers, a dismal 18.8%. And he had only two blocks before Sunday’s big move on Payton.

So it would be understandable if Dooling used his second in the spotlight to lobby for more playing time.

Instead, he deflected credit like he deflected Payton’s shot.

“As long as it says ‘Clippers win,’ in the paper, that’s all that matters,” Dooling said Sunday after the game. “I don’t want to talk about my minutes tonight. Or my individual disappointment. We just beat the Los Angeles Lakers, probably the best team in basketball.”

All Dooling would say about his big play was that he wasn’t so sure he’d be able to pull it off.

“I got hit with a back screen,” he said, “and [Payton] had a great lane for a layup. I just wanted to go up and make contact.”

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Jaric (sprained foot) is listed as doubtful for tonight’s game against New Jersey. Swingman Bobby Simmons (sprained right wrist) is questionable.