Livingston Forces Some Adjustments

Point guard still should be a position of strength for the Clippers, though Shaun Livingston’s situation has tempered their enthusiasm.

Livingston, who is expected to have a major role as the backup to Sam Cassell, has not played in the preseason because of a back injury and might be sidelined for the first month of the regular season. A bone scan Monday revealed a weakened area of his vertebrae, a Clipper spokesman said, and Livingston will be re-evaluated weekly.

Without Livingston, the Clippers seemingly aren’t as strong in the backcourt or on the bench. The team recently signed journeyman point guard Anthony Goldwire. Coach Mike Dunleavy is adept at adjusting quickly, but the Clippers acknowledge they’ve suffered a significant loss with the season opener in eight days.

“It wasn’t a setback not to have him at all in the preseason because we were using other guys, and we had seen enough real good things,” Dunleavy said. “But the thing about that position ... it’s such an important position.”

Team physicians have limited Livingston’s activity in practice since the start of training camp at Santa Barbara City College. The second-year player said his back has tightened after workouts, and acupuncture and an individually designed stretching program have only provided occasional relief.

The 6-foot-7 Livingston was sidelined for 52 games in his rookie season because of knee and shoulder injuries, and back pain could impede his development this season.

“Right now, he’s a legit starting point guard for 90% of the teams in the NBA,” Dunleavy said. “I mean, him going against second-line point guards with his size and the whole package ... it’s a big plus for us.

“But I’ve told Shaun, ‘Until you show you can play 70, 75 games, you can’t take that step.’ We don’t want to put that type of wear and tear on him until he shows he can handle it. That’s why he and Sam are the perfect fit for us.”

Cassell became the starter when the Clippers acquired him in August from the Minnesota Timberwolves, moving Livingston into a backup role and bolstering the bench. Goldwire and rookie Daniel Ewing are behind Cassell on the active roster, so Cassell is expected to carry a big load until Livingston returns.

“You know you’re going to have injuries, so you just have to deal with it,” Cassell said. “That’s why you have to have trust. You just have to trust your teammates.”

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Cuttino Mobley scored 18 points and Boniface Ndong had 16 points and nine rebounds in the Clippers’ 112-82 exhibition victory over the Golden State Warriors in Missoula, Mont. Ndong is a 7-foot center from Senegal.