Piatkowski Is Still Hurting

Shooting guard Eric Piatkowski didn’t think he would be sidelined more than a few days when he injured his ribs late in the exhibition season.

But aside from 14 uncomfortable minutes in the season opener, the Clippers’ top shooting threat has not played. He has sat out the last four games and the date of his return is uncertain.

At Friday’s practice, Piatkowski did not work out with the team but did go through drills conducted by assistant Rex Kalamian and Johnny Doyle, strength and conditioning coach.

The Clippers, who are shooting 30.5% on three-pointers, need Piatkowski’s range to help spread defenses.

“As a player, you hope they miss you because it makes you feel wanted,� said Piatkowski, who averaged 10.5 points and shot nearly 40% on three-pointers last season.

Derek Anderson, the team’s starting shooting guard, can make shots from the perimeter, but he plays more of a slashing game. Anderson leads the team in three-point shots, having made six of 14 (42.9%).

“Without Pike, our perimeter shooting is somewhat suffering here,� said Coach Chris Ford, whose team made 32% of its three-pointers last season.

Ford said if the Clippers continue to struggle from long distance, he may use Charles Jones, a two-time NCAA scoring champion who has made one of three shots from three-point range, at shooting guard.

“If Charles gets minutes, it will probably be at the two spot,� Ford said. “If he’s on the court, he will be teamed with another point guard or he will be running with Lamar [Odom], who would handle the point.�

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Point guard Eric Murdock, who missed the last three games because of a sore right knee, practiced Friday but experienced some pain. Murdock plans to practice today before the team leaves for Vancouver. Ford said Murdock may play during the team’s upcoming five-game trip.