CLIPPERS NOTEBOOK: RICE SIDELINED AT LEAST 2 WEEKS.

Byline: Joe Stevens Staff Writer

When Glen Rice joined the Clippers less than two weeks ago, he said he was excited to be a Clipper and was thankful to be injury-free.

Rice is still excited, but he's no longer injury-free.

Results from an MRI on Tuesday showed Rice will be unable to play for at least two weeks because of a hyperextended right knee. Rice is expected to start the season on the injured list and doesn't expect to make the team's trip to Japan for its first two games.

``This is a setback,'' Rice said. ``I don't want to sit out. I don't want to rehab things like that.''

Rice was injured during the team's exhibition game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, but he could not pinpoint the play in which he got hurt. The 36-year-old said he had so much pain and swelling the next morning that he figured he would be sidelined.

One of the most disconcerting aspects of the injury is that it is his right knee. His 2001-02 season with the Houston Rockets ended after 20 games because he needed surgery on a torn patella tendon in that knee.

``The good thing is that I'm strong now,'' Rice said. ``I'm in pretty good shape. I can keep working hard. It just makes me more eager to get out there.''

Coach Mike Dunleavy had planned to use Rice as a reserve and part of his nine-man rotation. If Rice starts the season on the injured list, he will miss at least the team's first five games, and Dunleavy will need a new rotation plan.

Bobby Simmons, who had a strong exhibition season, could take Rice's spot in the rotation. If the Clippers need shooting, Eddie House could be used.

``Somebody will fill in, but I'm not exactly sure who,'' Dunleavy said. ``In my mind, I'll look at who's playing well, and then you can figure it out from there.''

--Injury report: Elton Brand (sprained left ankle), Quentin Richardson (back spasms) and Chris Kaman (left leg strain) all returned to practice after missing Sunday night's loss in Golden State.

Brand and Richardson said they are fine, but Kaman still is not 100 percent. The rookie center was not allowed to participate in full-contact drills.

--Preparing for jet lag: With the Clippers starting the season in Japan with two games against the Seattle SuperSonics, the team has planned a schedule that will minimize jet lag. The team will leave Sunday morning, even though the opener isn't until Oct. 30, four days later. The Clippers will return on a Sunday, and the players will not play again until Thursday.

But even with the schedule, there is fear the travel could take its toll, paving the way for difficulties in the first month.

``I've heard all of that, and I don't want to buy into it,'' Dunleavy said. ``All I know is it's the same for both teams. We'll be on even ground.''

Joe Stevens, [phone]

joe.stevens(at)dailynews.com

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GLEN RICE

He will be out at least two weeks after an MRI revealed a hyperextended right knee.