Clippers Take Turn for Worse

WASHINGTON — In Dennis Johnson’s second game as interim coach, the Clippers began a six-game trip badly by shooting and rebounding poorly in a 99-80 loss to the Washington Wizards.

The Clippers shot 38.8%, were outrebounded, 52-37, and were at their worst in the third quarter when they were outscored, 26-8, in losing their seventh straight game.

“We were bad in the third quarter and there’s really no excuse,” Eric Piatkowski said. “We had some good shots, but we just didn’t knock anything down. Once they got that lead, their confidence level got high and it was over.”

Corey Maggette scored 14 points for the Clippers, who fell to 0-2 under Johnson, who replaced the fired Alvin Gentry on Monday.

Only 24 hours after injuring his back, Michael Jordan played 24 minutes and had 10 points and nine rebounds.

“I wanted to get out there,” Jordan said. “I had a lot of people telling me not to, because they felt like it would damage my long-term value. I said ‘I don’t have long-term value.’ ”

Perhaps Washington didn’t need Jordan against the Clippers, but Jordan didn’t want to chance it. The victory tied the Wizards with Milwaukee for the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot.

“That had a lot to do with it,” Jordan said. “We can’t lose another game to a team we’re capable of beating.... Sometimes it’s just good to have a big brother around, just for support. That’s why I wanted to play.”

Grimacing at times, Jordan made only four of 14 shots but played steady defense against Quentin Richardson. Jordan sat for good with 3:05 left in the third quarter and the Wizards leading, 68-49.

“In terms of limiting what I could do, this is probably the worst I’ve had in a while,” said Jordan, whose back flared up in Tuesday night’s loss to the Toronto Raptors. “I was basic. I took a shot when I was open. I swear I don’t think I jumped a foot off the ground to get a rebound. I just boxed out and the ball came to me.”

Jerry Stackhouse and Larry Hughes had 20 points apiece for the Wizards.

Clipper forward Elton Brand missed his fifth straight game because of a stress fracture above his left ankle and Lamar Odom missed his second straight game because of a sprained right ankle.