Clippers’ Brian Cook is making progress

Reporting from Oakland

Brian Cook said Friday that his injured ankle continues to improve and he’s hoping to return by the end of the month.

The veteran reserve forward, signed by the Clippers in the off-season, sprained his right ankle Dec. 17 against the Detroit Pistons.

Cook has picked up the pace in recent practices and said he’s “making progress every day.”

“It’s going really good,” said Cook, 30, who was averaging 6.1 points and 3.1 rebounds before he was hurt. “I’ve been having a lot more activity this last week and just trying to get back as soon as possible.”

Cook said it would “probably be like another week, week and a half” to reach the point where he’s “not worrying about taking that split second to react because of the pain and the swelling” in the ankle.

“I’m trying to get back around the Dallas, Houston games [Jan. 25-26], probably in the next couple of weeks,” he said.

Davis on Ellis

Baron Davis spent three seasons with the Golden State Warriors (2005-08), so after the Clippers’ morning shoot-around Friday, the media wanted Davis’ take on this year’s Warriors squad, particularly fellow guard Monta Ellis.

“He should be an All-Star,” Davis said of Ellis, who entered Friday’s game averaging 25.6 points and 5.5 assists. Ellis scored 38 points in a loss to the Lakers on Wednesday.

“He’s a terror on that court, a joy to watch,” Davis said. “Whether or not he makes the All-Star game or not, he’s definitely an All-Star in my book.”

Etc.

The Clippers open a three-game homestand Sunday against the Lakers at Staples Center, followed by the Indiana Pacers on Monday and the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.

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