Chauncey Billups’ status with Clippers is in doubt with latest injury

SAN ANTONIO — When it comes to the injury front, the Clippers always seem to be in the one-step-forward, one-step-backward mode this season.

So it figures that just when it looked as if the Clippers were completely healthy again, Chauncey Billups aggravated his strained right groin, leaving his playing status for the rest of the season in doubt.

Billups won’t play against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night, Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro said Thursday, and there isn’t a timetable the team is able to give for the shooting guard’s return.

“He’s going to be out a little bit,” Del Negro said. “I don’t know how much. I’ll know more [Friday], probably. But I don’t expect him around for a while.

“I’m not sure if Chauncey will be out a game, two games, two weeks. I don’t know yet. It depends on how he reacts working out.”

There are about three weeks left in the regular season and the Clippers are playing for a high playoff seeding in the Western Conference.

Having Billups in and out of the lineup has challenged the Clippers’ continuity all season.

He had missed the last three games because of the injury before playing Wednesday night against the New Orleans Hornets. He left early in the third quarter.

The Clippers have 10 regular-season games left, and not knowing whether Billups can maintain his health is an issue.

Billups, 36, has played in only 20 games this season because of various injuries.

“We can just never get him healthy, so it’s been tough,” Del Negro said. “I feel bad for him. We’re trying to get some continuity, but it’s hard to when he’s in one or two games and out with the groin or the back or whatever.”

Willie Green will start for Billups.

Etc.

After signing guard Maalik Wyns to two 10-day contracts, the Clippers will sign him for the rest of the season on Friday. ... The Clippers didn’t practice Thursday after playing on consecutive nights.