Jaric Will Be Patient in Return

SACRAMENTO — Marko Jaric, sidelined since Feb. 11 because of a foot injury, said Friday that he would more diligently follow the advice of the Clipper medical staff when he returns to the lineup, probably Sunday against the Chicago Bulls.

The Serb point guard sat out 17 games earlier in the season because of a stress fracture in the second metatarsal bone in his right foot.

He returned to the lineup Jan. 24 and was sidelined again less than three weeks later because of a stress fracture in the third metatarsal in the same foot.

He said doctors told him he tried to play too much too soon.

“I didn’t have patience to wait,” said Jaric, who played no more than 25 minutes in his first three games back, then played 39, 35, 41 and 38 in his next four before again experiencing discomfort in his foot.

“I was supposed to play a little bit less than I played,” he said.

“After the first two games, I felt really good. When you’re out there playing a game, you don’t want to get out. You want to continue to stay in, playing good, and win the game. So, it’s very hard once you’re on the court to say, ‘OK, I’m injured; I’m not supposed to play more than 25 minutes.’

“So, every time Coach [Mike Dunleavy] asks me, ‘Marko, you should go out,’ I was telling him, ‘I feel good, don’t worry,’ because I was just excited, you know? When I’m out there on the court, I really want to stay there.”

Jaric, who resumed practicing Thursday, said that he would again be limited to about 25 minutes a game for at least a week after his return.

And if he asks to play more?

“No matter what I say,” he said, “I don’t think they’re going to buy it this time.”