Point-guard rotation gets tighter

Three isn’t necessarily a crowd when dealing with Clippers point guards.

With Sam Cassell playing at nearly full strength against the Phoenix Suns on Friday, the minutes at the position will once again be squeezed among him, Brevin Knight and Dan Dickau.

But Coach Mike Dunleavy said on Sunday that all three veteran guards will still get playing opportunities.

“It depends on how we are playing and who they have and matchups and what we need,” Dunleavy said. “Dan’s been good for us. He’s made shots, and he’s done a good job in running the club. On a given night, if we need more offense, it will probably be Dan we go with.”

“They might be able to play some, but you are not going to split the point guards into three sets of equal minutes. That’s not typically the way it’ll work.”

Against Phoenix, Dickau was the odd man out, not playing, while Cassell and Knight swapped point duties, and at times, shared the court with Cassell playing shooting guard.

“I think we all are different players, so if Mike sees something he likes on a certain night, you have to be ready when you are called,” Dickau said. “Everyone wants to play, that’s the nature of the game. Sometimes I might be the guy left out, but you need to keep working and stay ready.”

Knight, who has only 12 turnovers in his last 16 games, looks at it simply:

“The way I look at it, when they call your name to go in the game, you go in the game,” he said.

Shooting guard Richie Frahm stands to benefit if all three point guards remain healthy.

When the team signed Frahm after waiving forward Ruben Patterson, Dunleavy said the team needed roster flexibility in case a point guard was injured.

But Frahm has impressed with his perimeter shooting since joining the team Dec. 14 and his contract would become guaranteed Jan. 10.

In seven games and two starts, Frahm is averaging 6.1 points in 18.7 minutes.

Dunleavy said the team has yet to make a decision on him and probably will make one near the contract deadline.

Forward Aaron Williams (bruised wrist) and Tim Thomas (sore knee) are doubtful against the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight. . . . Former Clipper James Singleton, who signed with Spain’s Tau Ceramica in the off-season and is recovering from a knee injury, attended Sunday’s practice.

TONIGHT

vs. Minnesota, 6:30, FSN West

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 710.

Records -- Clippers 9-19, Timberwolves 4-25.

Record vs. Timberwolves (2006-07) -- 1-2.

Update -- Two of the six NBA teams who have yet to reach double-digit wins face off for the first time this season. The Timberwolves have only one road win this season, while the Clippers only have four home wins. Al Jefferson averages a team-high 20.3 points and 12 rebounds for Minnesota.

jonathan.abrams@latimes.com