Maggette, Ross Are Still Hurting

The Clippers’ trip doesn’t officially end until after tonight’s game. But it’s already over for Corey Maggette and Quinton Ross.

Both were scheduled to return to Los Angeles on Thursday night and undergo further examinations of their injuries. Maggette has a sprained ligament in his left foot that has sidelined him the last seven games. Ross was held out of the lineup Wednesday at Indiana because of a back injury.

The timing is perfect since “neither was going to play” against Charlotte, Coach Mike Dunleavy said.

Maggette, who just had a second MRI exam on the foot last Saturday, said Thursday he was “slowly progressing. But I still can’t really run or [jump] off the foot.”

Ross, who described his condition as an “inflamed nerve,” tried to loosen up his back Thursday without much success.

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The Clippers have had only one three-game losing streak this season, and want to avoid another. They also have gone 0-5 in their last five road games.

It makes tonight’s game, in the Clippers’ minds, as crucial as any they’ve played so far.

“We’ve got to hold on right now, tread water,” Sam Cassell said. “But even though you’re treading water, you still want to gain some ground. We ain’t trying to stay in one spot. Yeah we have some guys hurt, but we know they’re not out for the year. So no one’s down.”

Said Cuttino Mobley: “Right now it’s a little tough for us, but everybody goes through it and we have to remember that. But just because we’re going through it doesn’t mean we have to accept it.”

Mobley said he has his own adjustments to make.

“When Sam’s not in I’ve got to take charge,” he said. “But I have to make plays too, whether it’s offense or defense. I do put pressure on myself. But I have to do a little more studying. On defense I have to call out more things for us, so we’ll be prepared more. I need to think more like Coach [Dunleavy].”

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In taking another look at Wednesday’s loss in Indianapolis, Dunleavy said he counted “about 17 missed baskets that were right around the rim or in-and-out. We had great looks. I couldn’t have drawn up a play to give us a better shot. And we just missed them.”

TONIGHT

at Charlotte, 4:30 PST

Site -- Bobcats Arena.

Radio -- 1150.

Records -- Clippers 15-10, Bobcats 8-18.

Record vs. Bobcats (2004-05) -- 2-0.

Update -- Charlotte forward Emeka Okafor, who sprained his right ankle in a Dec. 19 win over Sacramento, is sidelined for 10 days to two weeks. Also out are Kareem Rush (sprained finger) and Jake Voskuhl (right ankle sprain).... Sacramento is the only team Charlotte has beaten in nine games against Western Conference teams.