Team: Closs Is Not Close to Returning

Don’t look for backup center Keith Closs in a Clipper uniform any time soon based on the latest reports from team doctors.

“He has made progress but he is still not ready,” said Dr. Tony Daly about Closs, suspended before the start of training camp because of conditioning reasons.

Through the NBA Players Assn., Closs has filed a grievance against the Clippers claiming he has been unfairly suspended. Until last week, Closs had been working out under a special conditioning program but now will report to Johnny Doyle, the Clippers’ strength and conditioning coach.

Because of confidentiality reasons, Daly did not elaborate on why Closs is still a conditioning risk, but Robert Platt, the Clippers’ general counsel, said Closs has not made all of his workouts under Ken Vick, director of West Coast Sports Performance and Sports Medicine.

With Closs’ case not expected to face arbitration for at least another month, the Clippers do not seem in any rush to resolve it. This is the last guaranteed contract year for Closs, scheduled to earn $1.92 million this season. Closs, however, has not been paid since his suspension.