National Basketball Association

Clippers star to miss entire road trip

Published Mar. 7, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

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Los Angeles Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro is ''optimistic'' top scorer Eric Gordon will return this season after he aggravated a right wrist injury over the weekend that will keep him out indefinitely.

Del Negro said before Monday's game against Charlotte to open an East Coast swing that Gordon will likely remain in Los Angeles for the duration of the five-game trip. Del Negro said tests revealed no serious damage, but it's uncertain when he'll be able to play again.

''Let's just see how he responds to the therapy,'' Del Negro said. ''It's his shooting hand, so it might make it a little more difficult. But all signs point to him returning. But when? That's another story.''

Gordon was in his second game back after missing 18 with a sprained wrist that included a small fracture when he was hurt again in the second quarter Saturday on a hard foul by Denver's Timofey Mozgov.

''He's frustrated,'' Del Negro said of Gordon. ''It's unfortunate, but luckily it wasn't worse.''

Gordon is averaging 23.7 points. Randy Foye replaced him at shooting guard against the Bobcats, with rookie Eric Bledsoe also expected to see more minutes.