Livingston Needs Time

DALLAS — It has been 8 1/2 weeks since Shaun Livingston suffered a dislocated right kneecap during practice Nov. 23, the Clippers saying at the time that he probably would be sidelined for about eight weeks.

But Livingston is not ready to play and probably won’t be until sometime next month, maybe not until after the All-Star break a month from now.

As Coach Mike Dunleavy said they would, the Clippers have taken a cautious approach with their prized rookie, the first point guard to jump directly from high school to the NBA and the fourth pick in last year’s draft.

Livingston says he should be ready in two or three weeks.

“He’s got strengthening to do and he’s got conditioning to do,” Dunleavy said. “Two or three weeks sounds about like what we talked about. We had targeted, hopefully, before the All-Star break, but whether it’s before or after, that will get him a couple of good months to finish off the season.”

Said Livingston, who has not yet been cleared for contact: “I’m feeling better. Hopefully, it’s right around the corner. I’m getting excited.”

Marko Jaric and Chris Wilcox, also on the injured list, are expected to return before Livingston, perhaps as early as next week.

The Clippers have given no timetable for Kerry Kittles’ return.

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Elton Brand, Corey Maggette and Bobby Simmons rank among the league’s top 30 in minutes played, each averaging nearly 38 minutes a game.

“That’s about right,” Dunleavy said. “Most starters are going to play anywhere from 32 to 38 minutes.”

But, he added, “They could be playing a little more than we wanted, based on all the injuries we’ve had.”

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After playing the New York Knicks on Jan. 31 at Staples Center, the Clippers will have played 27 of their first 45 games at home. They’ll play 23 of their last 37 on the road, among them 10 of their last 13.