Walton’s 39-Game Streak in Peril

Bill Walton, who has played in 39 consecutive games, may see his streak end tonight when the Clippers conclude a three-game trip against the New Jersey Nets.

Walton missed almost the entire second half of Tuesday night’s loss to Cleveland with a strained right heel. The 39-game streak is the longest of Walton’s career, which has been dotted with injuries.

“We won’t know until before the game about Bill,” said Dr. Tony Daly, the Clippers’ team physician. “Bill said his heel hurts, but it’s tough to centralize it right now. I don’t think it’s too serious, but it’s hard to tell.”

Marques Johnson, who has missed the last four games with a sprained right ankle, practiced Wednesday but will not decide if he will play tonight until after warm-ups. Power forward Michael Cage, out for the last three games with the flu, will play.

The Clippers (19-27) will need all the help they can get if they hope to end a five-game losing streak.