Wilcox Discouraged After Second Opinion

Chris Wilcox, sidelined since Jan. 2 because of a stress reaction in his lower right leg, sought a second opinion this week from doctors in Washington.

The news wasn’t any better.

“Basically the same thing,” the Clipper forward said, his right foot encased in a supportive walking boot. “I don’t know when I’ll be back.”

Probably not before next month, Coach Mike Dunleavy has said.

Wilcox, who averaged 10.1 points and 5.1 rebounds through 29 games, said that he was scheduled for another MRI test in two weeks “and then we’ll be able to tell from there.” Meantime, “I’m just going to try to stay off it and do whatever I can to get back early,” he added, hoping that the injury will heal on its own through rest.

His playing time was sharply reduced before he was put on the injured list, and Wilcox said his leg had bothered him for some time.

“I just thought it was some tendinitis or something, so I’d been heating it and icing it for a while,” he said. “But one day it was bothering me a little too much so I went to get an MRI....

“It’s kind of frustrating. It’s more frustrating to come to the games just to watch your team play. I had a conversation with one of my homeboys a few weeks ago and I was like, ‘I’m feeling good. I’m going to be able to play the whole season.’

“And then ... “

*

Darrick Martin’s timing couldn’t have been better. His 10-day contract due to expire after tonight’s game, he made three clutch shots in the last 2:19 of Wednesday’s 103-92 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics.

“We’ll sign him to another 10-day,” Dunleavy said Thursday.

The former UCLA point guard, signed as a temporary fill-in because Marko Jaric and Shaun Livingston are on the injured list, scored 10 points on four-for-five shooting and played the entire fourth quarter against the SuperSonics.

TONIGHT

vs. Miami, 7:30, FSN West 2

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- XTRA (690/1150).

Records -- Clippers 17-17, Heat 28-10.

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

Update -- Shaquille O’Neal makes his last visit to Staples Center this regular season, and the East-leading Heat ends a five-game trip in which it is 2-2.

Tickets -- (800) 462-2849.