Injury-Plagued Team Is Recovering Nicely

After sitting out two games because of a calf strain, Elton Brand practiced Thursday and is expected to play tonight against the Phoenix Suns. Quentin Richardson and Andre Miller practiced and are expected to play, despite sprained ankles. Corey Maggette, recovering from knee surgery, practiced and was cleared to play by team doctor Tony Daly.

Lamar Odom practiced and is scheduled to play for the first time in 11 months Saturday against the Golden State Warriors, although it sounded as if he were still trying to persuade anyone who would listen that he would be OK to play tonight at Phoenix.

Said Brand, who leads the Clippers with averages of 18.7 points, 11.6 rebounds and 3.2 blocks, “I’m optimistic, I’m hopeful. Corey’s back. Lamar’s coming back. It’s exciting to have everybody back on the floor. We practiced today and we had substitutes and everything.”

It’s been awhile since the Clippers were that fit and healthy, perhaps before training camp began Oct. 1. They haven’t had their starting lineup together since Odom sprained his right wrist and, later, his right ankle and went on the injured list Jan. 24. Every member of the starting five this season, plus sixth man Richardson, has been sidelined by injury for at least one game.

The Clippers are at a pivotal point in the season, and to a degree, in the franchise’s future. More victories could translate into a winning record and a playoff berth by season’s end.

Success for the team also could mean happy futures for several key free agents, among them Brand, Maggette, Miller and Odom -- all restricted free agents. Michael Olowokandi, an unrestricted free agent, is expected to sign elsewhere next summer.

“We play better, the team goes farther, maybe even gets to the playoffs, it’s good for everybody,” Brand said. “We’ve got a lot of home games coming up. We’ve got to get back in the playoff race.”

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Eric Piatkowski was moved to the injured list because of a lower abdominal strain, thereby opening a roster spot for Maggette, who had arthroscopic knee surgery Nov. 29. Sean Rooks, who has bronchitis, did not join the team for its trip to Phoenix.

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TONIGHT

at Phoenix, 6 PST

Site -- America West Arena.

Radio -- KXTA (1150).

Records -- Clippers 12-16, Suns 17-11.

Record vs. Suns -- 0-1.

Update -- Phoenix has won three consecutive games, one of them Friday over the Clippers at Staples Center, and seven of 10, ranking as one of the league’s bigger surprises. The Clippers fell behind by 19 points in the teams’ last meeting before rallying late to make the 87-76 final score look better.