Clippers Fail to Help Chaney’s Case, Lose to Seattle

Clipper Coach Don Chaney may have coached his last home game in Thursday’s night 118-87 loss to the Seattle SuperSonics before an announced crowd of 6,517 at the Sports Arena.

“To me this was just the last home game of a horrendous season,” Chaney said after the Clippers (12-68) finished their home schedule with a 9-32 record.

Said Clipper forward Michael Cage: “It’s kind of sad to go out this way. This was the first time all year that I felt the pain of all the losses we suffered, and as result I’m really down right now.”

Dale Ellis scored a career-high 41 points, and Xavier McDaniel added 23 points for the Sonics.

Ellis made 16 of 24 shots and grabbed 9 rebounds.

The Clippers, losers of 12 straight, have the worst record in the National Basketball Assn.

The Clippers had just nine players in uniform at the start of the game, and they lost center Earl Cureton because of blurred vision in his right eye and forward Rory White because of an injured foot during the game.

“Everyone talks about Murphy’s Law,” Chaney said. “I’m at a point where I’m afraid to play a game because somebody gets hurt. We’ve had more problems than I’ve seen in my lifetime on any professional franchise. And I don’t think it’s over with.”

The Clippers have two games left in the regular season, both on the road, but it is unlikely that Chaney will be retained for next season.

Chaney has a record of 53-130 since he was hired late in the 1984-85 season.

Chaney will meet with Clipper President Alan Rothenberg and General Manager Elgin Baylor Tuesday or Wednesday to determine his fate for next season.

Although Clipper officials insist that no decision has been made on Chaney’s future, they have already interviewed former New York Knicks Coach Hubie Brown, former Phoenix Suns Coach John MacLeod and former Philadelphia 76ers Coach Gene Shue.

Said Rothenberg: “Nothing has been decided. We’ll sit down with Don when the season is over.”

Chaney said: “I can’t do anything but just wait. It bothers me because I keep hearing that they’re talking to different names, and it distracts me.

“This has been like a nightmare to have this hanging over my head. It’s a blemish on my career. I look back at this record, and it’s going to haunt me. I want to be in a position to coach next year.”

Chaney said that if the Clippers decide not to keep him, he wouldn’t have any trouble getting another job.

“I think coaching is still in my system. I can think of at least nine other guys who I’ve talked to where I could get a job from,” Chaney said.

“My main problem is that I’ve got a son who’s about to go to UCLA and I’ve got two girls in high school. And my wife is tired of the nomadic lifestyle that we’ve lived.”

The Clippers trailed by 22 points at halftime, 63-41. The SuperSonics outscored the Clippers, 34-18, in the second period.

Ellis, who had been in a shooting slump, had 24 points in the first half, including 16 in the first period. McDainel added 15 points in the first half.

“I felt like I was going to have a good game,” Ellis said. “I hit my opening shots and I felt like I was going to have a good night. Now I hope I can keep it up for the playoffs.”

Ellis made 10 of 13 shots in the first half and had 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 blocked shot.

The Sonics (38-42) clinched the seventh spot in the Western Conference and will open the playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks next week.

The Sonics shot 60.5% in the first half, hitting 26 of 43 shots, while the Clippers shot 36.4%, making 16 of 44.

Clipper center Benoit Benjamin, who was booed in his last game, came back with a strong effort, scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench. He also had 2 blocked shots and 4 assists.

“I just wanted to play my type of game and not let anything distract me,” Benjamin said.

Cage led the Clippers with 19 points and 8 rebounds, while guard Darnell Valentine added 17 points and passed off for 9 assists.

Clipper Notes Injured Clipper forward Marques Johnson said his arbitration hearing to settle a contract dispute with the team, which was scheduled for today, has been postponed until May 18 because his lawyer is out of the country. Johnson said he still plans to have neck surgery after the hearing. The Clippers end their season this weekend with games on the road at Phoenix Saturday night and at Oakland Sunday against Golden State. . . . Kenny Fields sat out the game with a right calf injury, however he’s expected to make the trip. Earl Cureton, who has been having blurred vision in his right eye, had to leave the game after playing just 9 minutes. He will be examined by a doctor today. Forward Rory White (injured right foot) will also be examined. If Cureton and White are unable to play, the Clippers might have to sign somebody to fill in for the last two games so that they would have enough players.