Cassell’s return inspires Clippers

Hello again, Sam Cassell.

The Clippers figured they would benefit when he returned to the court, and that’s what happened Monday night as Cassell scored a game-high 31 points off the bench in L.A.’s 100-90 victory over the New Orleans Hornets in front of 15,501 at the Ford Center.

Playing for the first time since Dec. 23, Cassell scored 19 points in the second half as the Clippers took charge against the injury-weakened Hornets, who played without Chris Paul, Peja Stojakovic, David West and Bobby Jackson.

And in a clutch performance familiar to Clippers players and fans last season, Cassell was at his best with the outcome still in doubt in the fourth quarter.

He scored 12 points while making four of six shots from the field, including both of his three-point tries. After leading by one point beginning the quarter, the Clippers opened a 13-point lead and Cassell’s work was done with 1 minute 3 seconds to play.

Coach Mike Dunleavy sent in Quinton Ross for Cassell, who received congratulatory handshakes from his appreciative teammates.

Things are still difficult for the Clippers, but Cassell provided a timely boost.

“That was great ... wonderful,” Elton Brand said. “That’s why I said, when I was fielding questions about the season being over, that we had to wait to see what happened when our team is healthy, and Sam is a major part of our team.

“He might not do that every night, but it’s possible he could do that every night. Just having that threat out there makes it easier for everybody.”

The Clippers (16-19) appeared energized from the moment Cassell -- sidelined seven of the team’s previous eight games and nine overall recently because of a heel injury -- entered early in the first quarter and they followed the lead of the veteran point guard to a rare road victory for the team.

Cassell returned to the active lineup but did not play in the Clippers’ 86-74 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. On Monday, Cassell played 35 minutes, made 11 of 23 field-goal attempts, three three-pointers and had five rebounds and four assists.

“We got a big lift from Sam tonight,” Dunleavy said. “It’s good to have him back. I’m a little surprised he was able to play as many minutes as he did. We needed him and he came in and gave us a spark and scoring that we’ve lacked for a lot of games.”

Nothing new there, Cassell said.

“I don’t care what people say, I know how important I am to this ballclub at 37,” he said. “This team relies on me to make shots. I help everyone in the locker room.

“I take pressure off of every guy on this ballclub. Good or bad, something is going to happen when I’m out there.”

The Clippers got 20 points from Cuttino Mobley and 18 points and 12 rebounds from Brand. Seldom-used forward James Singleton also delivered in 20 minutes -- his highest total since Dec. 22 -- scoring four points, grabbing six rebounds and playing strong defense.

Desmond Mason led the Hornets (12-22) with 28 points.

“James Singleton, with his energy, was big tonight,” Brand said. “Keeping balls alive, blocks shots, rebounding. When he gets minutes, he makes great use of them.”

The Clippers improved to 2-3 on a six-game, 10-day trip that ends Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center.

The team had envisioned returning to Los Angeles with a .500 record, but breaking even on the trip would be an accomplishment for a group that’s still trying to get it together again, Cassell said.

“I get a day to rest and see how my foot responds to this pounding tonight,” Cassell said. “I just want to go after it in Minnesota and try to have a decent trip.”

jason.reid@latimes.com