Thomas undergoes a little driver education

DALLAS -- Tim Thomas and Mike Dunleavy agree.

Both say that Thomas, who has been limited by a sprained right ankle in recent games, should attack the rim more often.

“I’ve been doing that of late, just knowing that my shot hasn’t really been going,” Thomas said. “I’ve been limited as far as moving and planting on my ankle, but that’s one of the things I’m trying to work on now.”

Thomas, a 6-foot-10 forward who is starting in place of an injured Elton Brand, entered Friday’s game against Dallas shooting 34% from three-point range. His 143 attempts were sixth-most in the league.

But Dunleavy said he can be efficient in varying his game.

“At times he’s been banged up a little bit and hasn’t shot from range like he’s capable of shooting and he is playing more minutes than before,” the Clippers’ coach said. “Those are areas he has to manage. There are nights he is banged up and giving us minutes when maybe he should take a step in versus staying all the way out all the time. He’s got a very wide game of what he can do. He just needs to mix his game and gauge it based on physically how he’s doing.”

Thomas, averaging 13.3 points and 5.4 rebounds before Friday, also said he can help the team by rebounding more.

“I started off shooting the ball great, but I’ve been in a little bit of a slump of late,” he said. “But overall, with the minor setback of the ankle, I’m doing all right. I can rebound the ball a little bit more, especially offensively, but the style we are playing doesn’t allow me to do that because I’m spaced on the perimeter a lot.”

--

Dunleavy recently said the team is exploring personnel options as the season progresses.

“You never stop looking to better your team,” he said. “. . . Free agents, trades, whatever. We are fine right now and we’ll see how it goes.”

--

Dan Dickau said his hyperextended right elbow is healing, but he will probably continue wearing a sleeve over it because he has grown accustomed to it. . . . Aaron Williams missed his second game because of a sprained left wrist. . . . Cuttino Mobley returned to the lineup after a stomach virus sidelined him for one game.

TONIGHT

at San Antonio, 5:30 PST, Channel 5

Site -- AT&T; Center.

Radio -- 1260.

Records -- Clippers 9-16, Spurs 18-7.

Record vs. Spurs (2006-07) -- 0-4.

Update -- The Clippers last beat the Spurs in March 2006 and last beat them on the road in January 2002. Tim Duncan averaged 15.3 points against the Clippers last season.

--

jonathan.abrams@latimes.com