Anderson, Nesby Return

The mood was upbeat for the Clippers’ practice Monday because of the return of swingmen Derek Anderson and Tyrone Nesby.

Anderson sat out the last three games because of symptoms related to a mild concussion he suffered last week and Nesby missed two games to be with his wife and newborn daughter.

Although power forward Maurice Taylor is a few days away from returning to the lineup because of a sprained left foot, the Clippers are looking forward to playing the New York Knicks tonight at Staples Center.

“It’s going to be an important game,” said point guard Troy Hudson, who has averaged 21 points over the last two games. “[We need to] see where we are now that we’ll have Derek back, Tyrone back and Mo [almost] back. We have to get that chemistry together.”

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Back in New York, a lot of fuss has been made about the Knicks’ current five-game, seven-day trip. But New York hasn’t played since Saturday, the same day the Clippers completed their own stretch of five road games in one week.

Clipper Coach Chris Ford, however, warned his team against falling for the “Knicks are a tired team” trap.

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Jill Wiggins, the Clippers’ director of communications, will leave the team at the end of the month to take over a similar position with the Portland WNBA team. Wiggins had been with the Clippers for eight seasons.

TONIGHT

vs. New York, 7:30

Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KLAC (570).

* Records--Clippers 3-7, Knicks 6-6.

* Record vs. Knicks (1999)--0-1.

* Update--Knick forward Larry Johnson, who has already missed four games, has returned to New York for tests on his back. Johnson is concerned he may need surgery.

* Tickets--(213) 745-0400 and (213) 480-3232.