Hudson Is Out of the Loop Again

Point guard Troy Hudson is back in the doghouse for one of his periodic visits.

Hudson has not played in three of the Clippers’ last four games--coach’s decision--and before that, missed four games because of stomach problems. Since Feb. 24, Hudson has not played more than 10 minutes in a game, even though he has started 38 of them this season.

“I’ve always tried to tell myself not to get too high and not to get too low or you’ll drive yourself crazy around here,” he said. “I’ve gone through this all year. For a stretch of games, I might start and play a lot of minutes, and then there would be another stretch where I wouldn’t play hardly at all.”

Hudson finished last season as the Clippers’ starting point guard and regained that role quickly this season when veteran Eric Murdock went down because of injuries.

But Hudson’s play has been as inconsistent as his minutes. When he has played well, the Clippers have given teams fits. When he has been off, the Clippers have struggled.

Rookie Lamar Odom was moved to point guard last month and Jeff McInnis was signed for the rest of the season after playing out two 10-day contracts. They have cut into Hudson’s time.

But even with Odom out, Hudson’s role is undefined. In a loss to Washington on Monday, Odom sat out because of a right calf injury and Hudson still didn’t play.

TONIGHT

vs. San Antonio, 5:30

Channel 9

* Site--Alamodome.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records--Clippers 14-54; Spurs 42-25.

* Record vs. Spurs--0-3.

* Update--Maurice Taylor, who suffered an ankle injury against Washington, and Odom are questionable for the game. The Clippers have lost their last nine games against San Antonio.