Livingston Back Next Week?

Shaun Livingston, who has been sidelined all season because of a stress reaction in his lower back, participated in contact drills on Friday for the first time since last season and afterward said he was pain-free.

“It felt good,” said the 6-foot-7 point guard, who played in only 30 games because of other injuries in 2004-05, his rookie season with the Clippers.

He is not expected to play tonight against the Phoenix Suns or Sunday against the Detroit Pistons but may be used next week against San Antonio or New Orleans.

“We’re still keeping it open, based on how I feel each day, so we’ll see how it goes,” he said.

Livingston practiced running both the half-court and full-court offense and said he had not held back. “It’s hard for me to play that way,” he said. “If my body’s feeling good, then I just go out and play.”

Asked if he expects to be rusty when he’s put in the lineup, he answered, “I don’t think it’ll take that long to get back into the flow, because my job is to deliver the ball and run the team. That could come a little more natural than trying to put the ball in the hole.”

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Forward Corey Maggette, who suffered a sprained left foot Monday against the Miami Heat, was still experiencing swelling and remains day to day.

“I doubt seriously that he’ll play this whole weekend,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said.

Maggette, who was hampered earlier this season by a hamstring injury, expressed frustration but also said, “The team’s still winning so that’s the positive thing.”

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Dunleavy said the Clippers’ goal at the outset of the season was to win 30 home games, because that’s what the elite teams do. They’re 8-1 at Staples Center so it appears they’re well on their way.

“We had 27 last year and we’re hoping we can work hard and get to 30,” he said. “But we’ve got a tough schedule coming up and we’re banged up, so that puts a little more pressure on us right now.”

TONIGHT

vs. Phoenix Suns, 7:30, Channel 5

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 1150.

Records -- Clippers 13-5, Suns 13-5.

Record vs. Suns (2004-05) -- 0-4.

Update -- The Clippers are holding opponents to 40.6% shooting, best in the NBA. The Suns lead the league in points scored (105.76) and are tied with the Clippers in field-goal percentage at 46.7%. The Clippers are averaging 98.61 points, seventh in the NBA.

Tickets -- (800) 462-2849 or Clippers.com.