Brand Plays Slightly Off His Pace

All but lost amid the glow of the Clippers’ encouraging start is that their top player, slowed by a sore left knee, doesn’t seem to be himself.

To the consternation of rotisserie-league nerds from coast to coast, Elton Brand has averaged 17.4 points and 8.4 rebounds through 10 games, enough for the 6-foot-8 forward to rank second among the Clippers in scoring and first in rebounding but slightly lower than his usual numbers.

With averages of 19.4 points and 10.7 rebounds before this season, the sixth-year pro has never averaged fewer than 18.2 points or 10 rebounds.

Loath to make excuses, Brand insists that all is well. This, despite arthroscopic surgery in May to repair a slight cartilage tear in his left knee, Coach Mike Dunleavy’s sitting him down during the exhibition season after noticing on film that he was limping, and General Manager Elgin Baylor’s expressing concern too.

“It’s not anything I could harp on or complain about,” said Brand, who scored 19 points and took 10 rebounds in Saturday’s 91-86 overtime loss to the Houston Rockets. “You go around [the locker room] and take a survey. I’m sure everybody is dealing with something. You play a lot of games, you get banged up.

“It’s not a big deal. I feel pretty good.”

He continues to work on strengthening his left leg.

Said Dunleavy: “I think he’s better than he was [a month ago], but I don’t think he’s as lively as he was last year for us....

“I just don’t see him getting probably as much lift as he had. Obviously, he still does a really good job for us ... but he’s [off] a little bit.”

TODAY

vs. Phoenix, 12:30 p.m. Channel 5

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- KLAC (570).

Records -- Clippers 5-5, Suns 7-2.

Record vs. Suns (2003-04) -- 3-1.

Update -- The Clippers take on the division-leading Suns in what they hope is their last game without Chris Kaman and Kerry Kittles, who are expected to come off the injured list in time for Thursday’s game against the New Jersey Nets.