Kittles Is Probably Out for Rest of Season

The chances of Kerry Kittles playing again this season for the Clippers have all but vanished, as the veteran guard continues rehabilitation because of a degenerative disk in his back.

Kittles, who has played in only 11 games this season, said this week that he was in a six-to-eight-week program to strengthen muscles in his back. With only eight weeks left in the regular season -- and the Clippers’ postseason hopes growing dimmer -- even Coach Mike Dunleavy is ready to admit Kittles’ season is over.

“It’s starting to sound that way,” Dunleavy said.

Kittles was not at practice Saturday and unavailable for comment.

The injury probably will bring an unceremonious end to Kittles’ brief Clipper career. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer and the team is not expected to re-sign him.

Kittles was acquired from the New Jersey Nets last summer after the Clippers allowed Quentin Richardson to walk as a free agent. The Nets agreed to pay $1.5 million of Kittles’ contract.

Instead of helping to plug the Richardson hole, Kittles’ time in Los Angeles seems destined to be remembered by Dunleavy as what-might-have-been speculation.

“There is no control of this, but I think this season could have been much different if he had missed only 11 games instead of playing in only 11 games,” Dunleavy said.

*

Point guards Marko Jaric and Shaun Livingston will have their status re-evaluated this week.

Jaric, who has a stress fracture in his right foot, will have an MRI exam Monday. Livingston will get second and third opinions from doctors on his injured right shoulder.

Livingston will see a specialist in Birmingham, Ala., on Monday and another in Chicago on Tuesday. His agent arranged both examinations.

Livingston will then have an MRI exam in Los Angeles on Thursday. He said the possibility remained that he would need surgery for the torn cartilage in his shoulder.

*

TONIGHT

vs. Atlanta, 6:30

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- KTLK (1150).

Records -- Clippers 24-31, Hawks 10-44.

Record vs. Hawks (2003-04) -- 2-0.

Update -- The Clippers can ill-afford losses to lesser teams. Of the Clippers’ last 27 games, 10 are against teams with worse records.