"Chauncey Billups put his right thumb down when asked whether he was playing Friday night against the Chicago Bulls, his sore right groin too painful for the 35-year-old guard to play in the Clippers' home opener at Staples Center on Friday night.

When the players were introduced, Billups limped onto the court wearing a suit.

Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro said Billups "tweaked" his groin during the San Antonio game Wednesday night. Del Negro said Billups didn't practice much Thursday.

Billups played in the first two games, averaging 16 points.

"We want to be smart about it," Del Negro said. "It's a long season. We're just starting this.

"We'd love to have him out there, but we have to be smart about it and make sure he doesn't injure it any worse so he's out a significant amount of time."

Del Negro said Billups will be a "day-to-day situation."

The Clippers play Sunday against the Portland Trail Blazers at home and Wednesday at home against the Houston Rockets.

"You have to be careful with groins and hamstrings," Del Negro said. "He's got a couple of years under his belt, so we want to be smart with him like we would with anybody, but especially someone that has his type of experience."

Mo Williams started in place of Billups in the backcourt with Chris Paul."