Clippers’ Spencer Hawes dealing with foot issues

Reporting from Houston —  The pain comes and goes in Spencer Hawes’ foot, but the Clippers’ reserve center hasn’t missed any games because of it.

Hawes has played in all 15 games, all the while knowing that his play hasn’t been up to his past standards because he has to deal with a strained left foot.

“It’s better,” Hawes said. “It’s one of those things where as soon as you think it’s gone completely, then you feel it. So I kind of think that’s just how it’s going to go.”

For a 7-foot-1, 245-pound big man like Hawes, having a injured foot is not a good thing when you’re jumping and running up and down the court. But Hawes said he has to deal with his injury.

“That’s part of the game,” Hawes said. “I treat it as the symptoms come on. It’s feeling better. So hopefully we’re out of the woods.”

Hawes admitted the foot injury has affected his play this season.

Entering Friday night’s game against the Houston Rockets, Hawes was shooting 39.7% from the field, 30.3% from three-point range. He was averaging 6.6 points in 17.6 minutes.

Over the first seven years of his career, Hawes shot 46.5% from the field, 36.1% from three-point range, and averaged 9.7 points.

Clearly, Hawes, who had seven points and eight rebounds in 18 minutes against the Rockets, has been hampered some by his foot injury.

“Probably, but there are a lot of factors,” Hawes said. “You’d always rather not have to deal with stuff like that. But at the same time, everyone has got something going on.”

Barnes returns

Clippers small forward Matt Barnes, who missed the last two games because of a sore left calf, started against the Rockets.

Barnes had two points, five rebounds, four assists and one technical foul.

“I felt a little behind on defense,” Barnes said. “But I’ll be fine.”

Jordan lends helping hand

Clippers center DeAndre Jordan, who is from Houston, invited a group of 40 kids as his guest from Change Hope, an organization that provides services for adults and at-risk youths in Houston.

Jordan gave his fans a treat late in the fourth quarter, throwing down a one-handed lob dunk off a pass from Chris Paul.

Jordan finished with 13 rebounds, seven points and three blocked shots.

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