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Kaman's monster night helps Clippers past Warriors

Nov 3, 2007 - 7:03 AM LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- For the Los Angeles Clippers, it figured to be a long road without star forward Elton Brand. But if Chris Kaman continues to play like he did Friday, it may not be all that bad.

Kaman overcame a brief injury scare to collect 26 points and 18 rebounds, leading the Clippers to a 120-114 victory over the Golden State Warriors.

Brand, who averaged 20.5 points and 9.3 rebounds last season, tore his Achilles tendon working out in August and his return to the team this season remains uncertain.

Kaman, who signed a five-year contract extension worth over $50 million in October 2006, has averaged just 9.3 points and 7.5 rebounds over his four-year NBA career. However, the sixth overall pick in the 2003 draft had well surpassed those numbers by halftime, scoring 14 points and hauling in 14 boards before intermission.

"Chris was terrific tonight, 26 points (and) 18 rebounds," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. "He really controlled the paint for us. He got hit in the head and he went out and got some stitches but he came back. He needs to get hit in the head every night, I guess."

However, he was held scoreless in the third quarter and took an elbow from Kelenna Azubuike above his left eye, leaving the floor to get three stitches. But the 7-0 Kaman helped the Clippers pull away from the Warriors in the final period.

"I got an elbow and had to have some stitches. He went up and dunked it and I was just late on the play," Kaman said. "His right hand popped me in the head and I felt the blood right away. I didn't really hurt, it was kind of quick. I just wish I could play that third quarter. I was going well.

"I was telling them (the trainers) to hurry up so I could get back out there. They did a great job on me. ... I don't know how many stitches it was, three or four. I didn't care. I just wanted to get back out there. The stitches just go away and you just get more of them."

Kaman had 12 points during the fourth quarter and notched a rebound that ended up in a layup by Cuttino Mobley with 10:19 remaining that made the score, 98-95. He also sparked an 11-0 run over the next 3:04 that gave Los Angeles some breathing room midway through the fourth.

Azubuike, who is being called upon to fill the role of the departed Jason Richardson, finished with a career-high 33 points, surpassing his previous best of 28 - also against the Clippers - on January 17.

"Azubuike played a complete game," Warriors coach Don Nelson said. "He scored and rebounded. I am very proud of him. He's one of most solid guys all-around. I don't know what we would do without him."