Gordon’s ‘good progress’ is another sign of hope for Clippers

Moving toward an actual good news day for the Clippers . . . incrementally.

They are coming off Friday’s inspiring seven-point victory against a Western Conference power, Denver. And, on Sunday, shooting guard Eric Gordon was finally able to scrimmage with his teammates, taking part in almost all of the practice.

Gordon, the team’s second-leading scorer, has been out for seven straight games with a strained left groin, getting injured Nov. 7 against Memphis.

He ruled out returning today against Minnesota but he left open the possibility of coming back against Indiana on Wednesday, which, incidentally, would be in his hometown of Indianapolis.

“It was good progress today,” Gordon said. “Finally getting up and down there a little bit. I wouldn’t say I feel exactly 100% but just made great progress the last couple of days. I’m starting to run a little bit more. The treatment has been helping a lot.”

Sitting out has been driving him to distraction. That is, as much as the low-key Gordon can be annoyed.

“I don’t like to watch games -- period,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve missed this many games. Ever.”

Common sense is prevailing here, as well as a long-term view for the 5-9 Clippers.

Gordon says the pain comes and goes, adding, “That’s a good thing. That was supposed to happen.”

The Clippers are 2-8 -- including last season -- when Gordon misses games. But a premature return from a groin-type injury could turn into a much bigger and lingering issue.

“I’d like to go, but with this type of injury you’ve got to play when you’re 100%,” he said. “I’ll probably give me a couple more days. It’s been real hard. The last win against Denver was a big-time game. We need that so we can go on these next couple of stretches where we could win.”

Gordon, the spectator, has taken note of a Clippers-wide trend of playing up, and down, to the competition.

“We’re a different-type team -- a big win like that, we could stretch it out to, I don’t know, five or six wins. We don’t want a downfall playing Minnesota. It seems like we play good when competition comes. When we play against teams that are not as good, we tend to play at their level.”

Along those lines, fortunately, New Jersey doesn’t show up on the Clippers’ schedule until Jan. 18.

[email protected]

twitter.com/reallisa