Simmons’ Shot at History

Bobby Simmons appears headed toward a big payday next summer, when the Clipper forward will be an unrestricted free agent.

He also might wind up in the NBA record book.

Simmons is on pace to become only the second player in NBA history to rank among the top 10 in both field-goal and free-throw shooting percentage in the same season. Before Monday night’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Simmons had made 55.1% of his shots from the field to rank fifth in the league and was tied for 10th in free-throw percentage at 92.2% after going 0 for 2 Sunday.

Kevin McHale made 54.9% of his shots and 89.3% of his free throws for the Boston Celtics in the 1989-90 season, ranking seventh in the league in field-goal percentage and fifth in free-throw percentage.

Simmons, thrust into the starting lineup because of Kerry Kittles’ lingering knee injury, had averaged 16.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists before Monday, all about double his career averages. Last season, he shot less than 40% from the field.

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An MRI exam on Corey Maggette’s sprained left ankle revealed a strained tendon but no structural damage. He sat out for the second game in a row. “It’s just not stable right now where I would be able to jump and put the pressure on it like I need because this is my power leg,” he said.

Maggette said he hoped to play Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers.