Clippers’ Brand placed on IL

Brand originally sustained the injury during the Clippers’ opening night loss to Seattle in Saitama, Japan on October 30 and it is expected to sideline him about six weeks. He posted 21 points, 15 rebounds and eight blocked shots in the contest before exiting with the injury.

The 24-year-old Brand is in his fifth NBA season. The Duke product re- signed with Los Angeles in July after the Clippers matched an offer sheet Brand inked with the Miami Heat.

Last season, when he was has absent for 18 contests because of a stress fracture in his left leg, Brand led the Clippers with averages of 18.5 points and 11.3 rebounds per game.

Brand spent his first two seasons with the Chicago Bulls before joining the Clippers for the 2001-02 campaign.

To make room, the Clippers activated guard Glen Rice from the injured list. Rice had missed the first five games of the year with a hyperextended right knee.

Over his 14-year career, Rice has averaged 18.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists.