Clippers losing in tales of tape

SAN ANTONIO -- The way things are turning for the Clippers, the scenario made bitter sense.

Or, more appropriately, how the ankles are turning.

Chauncey Billups is fine when the Clippers play the Pistons but out shortly after. LeBron James is dandy to play them, but an injury soon sidelines him. Kobe Bryant’s strained groin is sound against them but affects him the next game.

So, of course, a healthy Tony Parker was there to greet the Clippers in a 99-90 attrition-filled loss to the reigning NBA champion San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T; Center on Saturday, after the point guard sat out four games because of a sprained ankle.

“It’s just the luck of the draw,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said. “You’ve got to be ready to play against everybody and anybody.”

The Clippers did so, reduced, but resolute.

They trailed by as many as 24 points, cutting the deficit to six in the fourth quarter before falling by nine. They shot better (46.3% to 45.1%) and outscored the Spurs, 51-39, in the second half. But the Spurs badly outrebounded the Clippers, 52-33.

“I was proud of our team tonight,” Dunleavy said. “A lot of guys would have just folded, but they just came out and really competed.”

The Clippers, who have lost their last four games, will look to mend somewhat during four days off before a home-and-home series against the Phoenix Suns.

But the injuries just won’t quit.

Sam Cassell returned for a test-and-trial stint after missing 12 games with a strained left calf, playing eight minutes. But leading scorer Corey Maggette sat with a sore right knee. Tim Thomas left in the first quarter with a sprained left knee and is scheduled for an MRI exam Monday.

And the Clippers learned forward Paul Davis would miss the remainder of the season because of a torn right anterior cruciate ligament.

The Clippers played with all of two traditional frontcourt players -- Chris Kaman and the seldom-used Josh Powell, who made his first start of the season.

There were encouraging signs despite the trail of tape and bandages.

Rookie Al Thornton scored a career-high 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting and grabbed six rebounds in 42 minutes.

“I got an opportunity to play more,” Thornton said. “I’m going to make some mistakes, but I think that I’m learning.”

Kaman came around after a sluggish first half in which he made one of nine shots to finish with 20 points, 10 rebounds and six blocked shots. He made seven of his eight second-half shots to get his 12th consecutive double-double.

“I don’t know, he came down and wolfed some food at halftime and got his energy back or something,” Dunleavy said.

Tim Duncan had 34 points and 18 rebounds, but the Spurs seemed intent on resting him much of the second half until the Clippers made their run.

“In the second half, we didn’t play as well,” Parker said. “[The] Clippers played a lot better, played a little more physical, they got some stops and we had a pretty big lead, but overall we got the win, so that’s the main thing.”

Parker dashed and darted his way into the lane for 18 points and six assists.

His return helped nullify the loss of Manu Ginobili, who sustained a sprained left index finger in the first quarter and did not return.

So if the Washington Wizards are curious as to when Gilbert Arenas will come back, the Sacramento Kings of Mike Bibby, all they probably need to do is check the schedule to find out when the Clippers limp into town.

“It’s tough,” said Cuttino Mobley, who added that he is finally nearing full health after battling numerous injuries.

“If other teams could go without a lot of their top guys, I don’t know who can do that, but if they can, my hat’s off to them.”

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jonathan.abrams@latimes.com