MRI for Maggette

The Clippers received mixed MRI exam news Monday.

Quentin Richardson sat out practice because of a hyper-extended right knee and an MRI exam later in the day indicated no damage. Richardson, injured in the second quarter of the Clippers’ victory Sunday against the Detroit Pistons, was termed day-to-day by a team official.

Corey Maggette practiced Monday, but experienced swelling and underwent an MRI exam that revealed torn cartilage in his right knee. Maggette said he plans to play Wednesday against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Maggette’s injury is the same one Elton Brand suffered during Team USA’s training camp in preparation for the World Championship in August. Brand underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Sept. 26 and missed all eight of the Clippers’ exhibitions. He has started each of the Clippers’ three regular-season games.

Last season, Maggette had arthroscopic surgery to remove damaged cartilage in his left knee and was sidelined for 16 games.

The Clippers already are without small forward Lamar Odom until Christmas because of a badly sprained right ankle. Maggette has filled in for Odom, who last played Jan. 18. Odom also has been suffering from a sore right wrist.

“We’re beyond worrying about it now,” Coach Alvin Gentry said, referring to the series of injuries that has threatened to derail what many believed would be the most successful season for the Clippers since they moved to Los Angeles from San Diego before the 1984-85 season.

Richardson, Brand and center Michael Olowokandi (tendinitis in left knee and a strained left hip) sat out almost all of training camp. Brand and Olowokandi played their best games of the season Sunday against Detroit. Brand had 17 points and 13 rebounds and Olowokandi had 19 points and tied his career best with 20 rebounds in the Clippers’ 74-72 victory.

Richardson sprained the same knee Oct. 4 and was sidelined for all but one of eight exhibition games. He started the first two regular-season games, but was replaced by Eric Piatkowski against the Pistons.

If Richardson isn’t fit to play at Philadelphia, the first game of a four-game trip, Gentry probably will use three other guards to fill the spot.

Piatkowski is expected to start against the 76ers, but Gentry said he also would play point guards Keyon Dooling and Marko Jaric. Gentry played Dooling and Jaric with point guard Andre Miller for much of the second half Sunday.

If Maggette isn’t sound, Gentry also could use the Dooling-Jaric-Miller alignment.