Clippers lose sixth in a row

Blake Griffin, armed with an acute sense of drama, obviously timed his decision to give up his final two years of eligibility and make himself available for the NBA draft around a most pivotal event.

The Clippers versus the Timberwolves.

At this stage, it’s all about the eventual destination for the Oklahoma forward, and quite frankly, a heck of a lot more interesting than plantar fasciitis, sprained ankles and suspensions for violating team rules.

“He’ll be good for any team,” Clippers rookie guard Eric Gordon said.

The Clippers (18-60) continue to position themselves well in the Blake Derby, also known as the draft lottery, and kept that momentum humming along by losing to the Timberwolves on Tuesday night at Staples Center.

Injury-ravaged Minnesota defeated the injury-riddled Clippers, 87-77, and it was the Clippers’ sixth straight loss; they have won twice in their last 12 games. The Timberwolves outrebounded the Clippers, 62-34, and former UCLA star Kevin Love had 15 rebounds and scored 13 points.

“They doubled us. That’s what it was. I mean, they had four guys that were bigger than us guards,” said Gordon, who scored a game-high 28 points. “That’s why we couldn’t find our chemistry.”

It’s all about losses and injuries.

Players are dropping out of the lineup almost with the same frequency as the losses.

The Clippers were without Marcus Camby (sprained left ankle), Chris Kaman (flu), Al Thornton (sprained right shoulder) and Zach Randolph (two-game suspension). Randolph was suspended Monday for conduct detrimental to the team. He was arrested in the early morning hours on suspicion of drunk driving.

And those are only the most recent injuries and assorted mishaps.

Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy -- serenaded during the game by a handful of fans chanting, “Fire Dunleavy! Fire Dunleavy” -- was asked a question beforehand that put this game in proper perspective.

Question: “You’re missing half your team tonight. They’re missing half their team. How do you keep yourself and your team, let alone the paying customers, interested at this time of the year?”

Said Dunleavy: “For a lot of guys we have playing here tonight, it’s a matter of coming out and showing what you can do. . . . It’s a great opportunity for some of our young guys.”

So guess what happened to one of the young Clippers?

Rookie center DeAndre Jordan hurt his left Achilles’ tendon early in the third quarter. So much for that opportunity.

Thornton done?

Add Thornton to the growing list, subtitled: “Season, Interrupted.”

“Just breaking down,” he said.

Thornton said before the Minnesota game that he will have an MRI exam today on his right shoulder. “I think I’m done for the rest of the year,” he said.

Rest of the year is a relative term since there are a mere four games remaining. Thornton said that he has been bothered by the shoulder for the last couple of months, injuring it against Golden State, and that it had recently popped out.

“It could get worse,” said Thornton, who wants to avoid having surgery.

Gloom was definitely the prevailing mood, even on the topic of his postseason plans. “No vacation. I haven’t earned a vacation,” Thornton said.

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lisa.dillman@latimes.com