More chaos for the Clippers

If anyone thought the Clippers’ management chaos would calm down -- think again.

Late Wednesday, after the Clippers’ 111-85 victory over the Sacramento Kings, Mike Dunleavy told The Times that team President Andy Roeser had asked him to say publicly that the coach had patched up his differences with owner Donald T. Sterling, even though the two hadn’t spoken.

Dunleavy elaborated on Roeser’s request Thursday morning at the team’s practice. Dunleavy explained how he carried through with them, by talking to reporters before Wednesday’s game about his “conversation” with Sterling, in an effort to quiet a growing public rift.

Then late Thursday, Roeser said: “In our haste to create closure on this matter, Mike and I obviously had a misunderstanding. Mike has acknowledged to me that he regrets how he handled this situation. You can be sure that we are disappointed in the way he chose to handle it. His comments were inappropriate. It’s now time for us all to move forward and concentrate solely on working harder to improve the team.”

Roeser has been with the Clippers 23 years and was promoted to team president in October.

Sterling told The Times at halftime Wednesday that he knew nothing of a conversation that day between himself and Dunleavy.

The Clippers executive suite has been in turmoil since Monday when Sterling told The Times, in a story published Tuesday, he was upset at his team’s poor performance and was contemplating changes among his top management -- Dunleavy and Elgin Baylor, longtime director of basketball operations.

Dunleavy responded Tuesday by inviting Sterling to fire him and saying it would be a giant mistake. Dunleavy, coach of the Clippers since 2003, is in the first season of a four-year $22 million contract extension.

Dunleavy explained Thursday morning that he talked with Roeser on the phone Wednesday morning and they agreed the management dispute should be handled in-house.

Dunleavy informed Roeser he had called Sterling at his office, at his home and spoken to Sterling’s wife, but not the owner, and had left messages. Roeser assured Dunleavy that Sterling was on the same page as his coach and that they should end their public disagreement, Dunleavy said.

Dunleavy said he asked Roeser how he should respond to questions from the media about the dispute. Roeser told him to say that he had talked with the owner, Dunleavy said.

“ ‘You can say you talked to him because he got your message and he’s giving you a message -- or relaying it -- but it’s fine. You guys have corresponded,’ ” Dunleavy said Roeser told him Wednesday.

“[Sterling] knew what I said. I knew what he said and Andy said he’ll either see you at the game [Wednesday] or when you get back from this road trip,” Dunleavy said.

Meanwhile, Sterling is said to still be upset with Dunleavy’s comments about replacing him as coach.

Sterling left his courtside seat Wednesday at the start of the third quarter, angry that Dunleavy was playing Quinton Ross, who has missed his last 19 shots, instead of rookie Al Thornton, who had a strong second quarter.

The Clippers pulled away in the third quarter in their most lopsided win of the season.

Sterling returned to his seat late in the fourth quarter.

Baylor on Wednesday declined to talk about Sterling’s comments, particularly the need to make a trade before next month’s deadline, or his current relationship with Dunleavy. “Right now, it’s like, ‘Let’s go out there and win some ballgames,’ ” Baylor said.

The Clippers start a short trip with a game tonight against the New Orleans Hornets before playing the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday.

Dunleavy and his players said the management feud would not affect their on-court performance, and it didn’t against the Kings. Chris Kaman grabbed 21 rebounds, Thornton scored a team-high 23 points and he grabbed nine rebounds. And Corey Maggette (eight for 13) and Tim Thomas (seven for 12) shot well.

The Clippers (13-25) have won three of their last five games.

“We beat Phoenix and New Jersey,” Sam Cassell said. “We are playing good ball. We came in [Wednesday] making it a test for us to win the game and we won it.”

Said Kings Coach Reggie Theus: “This team has jumped us every time we’ve played. They’re very athletic. They play hard and physically outplay us.”

Not too many opposing coaches have made similar comments after playing the Clippers this season.

Dunleavy said Thursday he regretted firing back at his owner through the media. “If it happens again, there won’t be a response from me about it,” he said.

He has no idea, though, when he would talk to Sterling. “It’s kind of up to them,” Dunleavy said. “I haven’t talked to him. I haven’t gotten a chance to talk to him.”

Elton Brand, who ruptured his left Achilles’ tendon last summer, was cleared to start extensive running and jumping exercises. Brand hopes to play by March.

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TONIGHT

at New Orleans Hornets, 5 PST, Ch. 5

Site -- New Orleans Arena.

Radio -- 710.

Records -- Clippers 13-25, Hornets 29-12.

Record vs. Hornets -- 0-2.

Update -- The Clippers have lost to the Hornets twice at Staples Center this season. Hornets’ guard Chris Paul averages 21.1 points and 10.4 assists.

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

Communications breakdown

Timeline on the current Clippers management fracas:

MONDAY

Clippers owner Donald T. Sterling tells The Times’ T.J. Simers that he’s unhappy with the team’s play and is considering changes with top management -- Coach Mike Dunleavy and basketball executive Elgin Baylor.

TUESDAY

Dunleavy answers Sterling by challenging him to fire him, adding that it would be a terrible mistake.

WEDNESDAY

Before the Kings-Clippers game, Dunleavy tells reporters he has spoken to Sterling and they have patched up their differences. At halftime, Sterling tells The Times he doesn’t know anything about a conversation with Dunleavy. After the game, Dunleavy tells The Times that team President Andy Roeser instructed him to tell the media the coach had settled things with Sterling.

THURSDAY

In the morning at practice Dunleavy elaborates on how he carried out Roeser’s instructions the day before. Late in the day Roeser issues a statement, saying they had “a misunderstanding.”