Injured Thomas will try to play
Despite the pain of a sprained left wrist that prompted him to sit out the last game and a half, injured forward Tim Thomas said he would try to play tonight against the New Orleans Hornets because “every game is important right now and we definitely don’t need this” with a playoff berth at stake.
Thomas injured his non-shooting wrist while falling in the second quarter of Saturday’s loss to the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center and did not return in the second half. Although X-rays were negative, Thomas sat out Monday’s 96-86 loss to the Dallas Mavericks because he said his wrist was “just too sore to do anything with it.”
The Clippers’ only long-range shooter off the bench, Thomas, 6 feet 10 and 240 pounds, is considered among the keys to the offense because of his shooting range and size. With Thomas on the team this season, Coach Mike Dunleavy has often exploited matchups against opposing post players uncomfortable playing defense on the perimeter.
Moreover, with Shaun Livingston out because of a career-threatening knee injury and Sam Cassell sidelined because of back spasms, the Clippers have been especially short-handed off the bench without Thomas available. On Monday, the Mavericks reserves outscored their Clippers counterparts, 34-11.
Thomas averages 10.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and shoots 37.7% from three-point range. The nine-year veteran also was unable to play in a victory March 21 against Milwaukee because of a bruised left elbow.
“I don’t know when he’ll be back,” Dunleavy said. “Obviously, with him against Denver, I think it could have been a much different story.”
Thomas is eager to return, he said.
“I’m going to see if I can hold the ball, catch the ball, and see if I can dribble with my left hand,” Thomas said. “If I can do that, then I’ll definitely play.”
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If the Clippers qualify for the playoffs, Cassell says he intends to contribute. “I’m getting a lot better, but I want to come back 100%,” Cassell said. “I want to be pain-free when I come back.”
TONIGHT
vs. New Orleans Hornets, 5 PDT, Ch. 5
Site -- Ford Center, Oklahoma City.
Radio -- 1540.
Records -- Clippers 37-39, Hornets 36-41.
Record vs. Hornets -- 2-0.
Update -- The Hornets have won four of five to remain in contention for the Western Conference’s eighth and final playoff spot.
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