Cassell says he’s down but not out

The Clippers played without point guard Sam Cassell again Saturday night in an 87-64 victory over the Indiana Pacers at Staples Center.

Cassell, slowed because of an assortment of injuries in his 14th season, also sat out the Clippers’ previous game and might not play Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs at Staples.

Although Cassell, 37, has been sidelined because of calf, ankle, heel, abdomen and groin injuries, he says he could still help in the Clippers’ playoff bid this season and intends to contribute significantly in the 2007-08 season.

“I don’t care what anybody says, I know I can still play this game and help this team,” Cassell said. “When people tell me that I’m getting too old, when they tell me I can’t do it anymore, that just fuels my passion for the game even more.

“I might not be a star point guard in this game, but there won’t be five backups in this league who are better than me at 38 or 39.”

Cassell is guaranteed $6.15 million next season, the final one of a two-year contract. He might consider playing beyond next season “if I’m feeling good and doing the things I’ve done my whole career,” Cassell said. “I know what I’ve got to do this summer -- I’ve got to hit my workout plan real, real hard.”

In 2005, Cassell spent the summer in Houston training with former NBA player and coach John Lucas. He plans to do that again this summer.

“I’m going to put in my work and come back ready,” Cassell said. “So all those people who doubt me, who think I’m too old, that’s fine. I’ll just have to keep showing them.”

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Indiana Pacers swingman Mike Dunleavy Jr. is close with his father, who coaches the Clippers.

But the Dunleavys got closer than either would have preferred in the first quarter. Chasing a loose ball with 50.7 seconds remaining, the younger Dunleavy ran into his father along the sideline, both men crashing into the scorer’s table.

Dunleavy Jr. grabbed his father, and they laughed while the crowd did too.

“That’s the last time I try to catch him,” Dunleavy Sr. said. “He tried to bury me.”

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jason.reid@latimes.com