Clippers swingman Corey Maggette on Thursday will undergo an arthroscopic procedure to alleviate the intermittent pain he suffered in his right knee during the 2006-07 season.  The condition, although bothersome, did not result in any lost playing time for Maggette during the year.   Clippers? team physician Dr. Tony Daly, assisted by Dr. Steven Shimoyama, will perform the surgery at the Center for Ambulatory Surgical Treatment (C.A.S.T) in Westwood, California.

In 75 games played on the season, Maggette averaged 16.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.

Impressed with Corey Maggette's transformation into a playmaker late this season, the Clippers hope to re-sign the veteran forward to a multiyear contract extension, The Times has learned.

Clippers owner Donald T. Sterling recently reaffirmed his determination to keep Maggette after his contract ends in the 2008-09 season, team sources said, pledging the resources to retain the player who had a key role in a late push for a playoff berth that fell short on the regular season's last day.

The development is significant because Maggette ? almost sent to the Indiana Pacers for Ron Artest in the 2005-06 season ? is considered one of the few players on the roster who has substantial trade value, and the Clippers' preference to move forward with him indicates their salary-cap situation might deter them from making any major moves this summer.

Steve Francis did not say that he wanted to be traded or released, but he seemed to acknowledge his uncertain future with the Knicks, saying, ?I?m going to work this summer like I don?t got a job.?

One destination could be the Los Angeles Clippers, where Francis could reunite with Cuttino Mobley, his very close friend and former Houston Rockets teammate.

Thomas said that he planned to keep Francis. ?If he?s healthy, you make room for that kind of guy,? he said.

The game meant virtually nothing to the Suns and everything to the Clippers.

Regardless, there was no rest for the Suns' regulars, and still the Clippers managed a 103-99 victory Tuesday night that kept their playoff hopes alive with one game to play.

Elton Brand scored 21 points to lead six Clippers in double figures and Los Angeles beat the Suns 103-99.

Ron Artest and Elton Brand became quite chummy during their two seasons as teammates with the Bulls. So the Kings forward had decidedly mixed feelings after doing so much damage to the Clippers' playoff hopes.

Artest had a career-high 10 assists, leading the Kings to a 105-100 victory over the fading Clippers on Sunday.

"I always want to see my boy E.B. in the playoffs," Artest said. "I kind of wished we could have lost tonight so that they could have won, because I like to see Elton do well all the time."

Brand had 29 points and 14 rebounds for the Clippers, who lost for the 20th time in their past 23 meetings with Sacramento. They fell one game behind Golden State and the Lakers in the Western Conference by virtue of the Warriors' win over Minnesota.

Corey Maggette scored a career-high 39 points, Elton Brand added 32, and the Clippers rallied to beat the Lakers 118-110 Thursday night despite Kobe Bryant's 50 points.

Bryant's nine 50-point games this season are the most in the NBA since Wilt Chamberlain scored at least 50 nine times in the 1964-65 season. Chamberlain averaged a record 50.4 points three years earlier.

Prop up your feet, Dirk Nowitzki and Jerry Stackhouse. The Mavericks have clinched the NBA's best record with five games to go.

Nowitzki and Stackhouse were Dallas' leading scorers in a 96-86 victory over the Clippers on Monday night that sealed the top seed this postseason, then coach Avery Johnson announced right away that they wouldn't be joining the club on a road trip to Minnesota.

"I told them if I see them on the plane, I'll fine them," Johnson said.

The Los Angeles Clippers today signed guard Will Conroy of the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League, it was announced by Vice President of Basketball Operations Elgin Baylor. In a related move, the Clippers waived center Zeljko Rebraca.

Conroy joins the Clippers for the second time this season, as he played two games for Los Angeles this season from Feb. 28 ? March 5, 2007.  A member of the NBA Development League Second Team, Conroy appeared in 42 games for the Tulsa 66ers, averaging 15.0 points, 10.6 assists and 5.1 rebounds.

Recognized as a 2007 D-League All-Star, Conroy also signed a 10-day contract with the Memphis Grizzlies on Jan. 30, 2007 and played in three games. Conroy averaged 4.0 assists, 2.0 rebounds in 15.5 minutes in his two games with the Clippers this season

Back spasms being endured by Sam Cassell worsened Saturday night in a 99-86 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden.

Cassell, 37, collapsed in the second quarter and did not return. X-rays were negative.

The Clippers planned to schedule an MRI exam today or Monday for Cassell, who probably would be monitored for at least a week before his status is evaluated, team trainer Jasen Powell said.

"I'm going to have to sit down a while and let this heal," Cassell said. "I'm going to need some time, maybe until the playoffs, because I'm hurting right now."