Good Health Eludes Team Again as Murdock, Nesby Suffer Injuries

PORTLAND, Ore. â€”  Just when it looked like the Clippers were getting healthy enough to have all 12 players on the roster 100%, the injury bug has struck again.

For much of the first three months of the season, the Clippers had to play without many key regulars because of injuries. Derek Anderson, Maurice Taylor, Eric Piatkowski, Brian Skinner and Eric Murdock missed 56 combined games before Feb. 1.

When Jim Todd was named interim coach last week, it seemed like he would have an injury-free team to work with as Skinner played himself back into shape after missing 21 games because of a severe ankle sprain.

But the Clippers’ injury list did not stay empty for long. First Murdock injured his ankle again and then Tyrone Nesby suffered a cracked big toe on his right foot and neither player made the trip for Wednesday night’s game at Portland.

“Right now, Skinner seems ready to go even though I don’t know how close he is to 100%,� Todd said of the forward who had four points and one rebound in 11 minutes against the Trail Blazers. “I had been kind of thinking that the Portland game will be the big game where everyone would be healthy and then Murdock and Nes get hurt.�

TONIGHT

vs. Vancouver

7:30, Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records--Clippers 11-37; Grizzlies 13-34.

* Record vs. Grizzlies--1-2.

* Update--This will be the fourth and final meeting this season between the teams. The home team has won the first three games. The Clippers hold a 10-9 edge over Vancouver in the all-time series. The Grizzlies are 6-16 on the road and have lost seven of their last 10 games. Vancouver forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim ranks among league leaders in points (20.9) and rebounds (10).

* Tickets--(213) 480-3232