Kaman In, but Kittles Out?

Center Chris Kaman is expected to make his season debut tonight, but guard Kerry Kittles, less than a week into his comeback, probably will be sidelined again when the Clippers play the New Jersey Nets at Staples Center.

Kittles, who made his Clipper debut Sunday and scored two points in 24 minutes, suffered a hyper-extended right knee Tuesday when he was bumped in practice and said Wednesday that there was only a “small chance” that he would play against his former team.

Kittles, traded from the Nets in July, had arthroscopic surgery on the same knee in June and had not practiced with the Clippers until last week.

“I’m frustrated about not playing,” he said. “Obviously, when a team trades for you, you want to be out there and you want to help them. No one wants to get traded and sit on the sidelines and watch things unfold. I want to play.”

He said that his knee felt “pretty good” Sunday and that he was fine Tuesday in practice until teammate Marko Jaric fell into him.

“I knew right away it was going to set me back a little bit,” he said. “Obviously, I don’t know how long it’s going to take for it to heal up.”

The Clippers hope it’s OK tonight or, at worst, in a few days.

Meanwhile, they’ll welcome back Kaman, who has been sidelined since suffering a sprained left ankle last month during an exhibition game.

*

TONIGHT

vs. New Jersey, 7:30, TNT

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- XTRA (690/1150).

Records -- Clippers 5-6, Nets 2-8.

Record vs. Nets (2003-04) -- 0-2.

Update -- The Clippers make their only national television appearance of the season against a Net team that has lost its last six games.

Tickets -- (800) 462-2849.