"John Salmons' "reward" for replacing an ill Kirk Hinrich with a team-high 25 points Monday night was a trip to and overnight stay at an Oakland hospital with a similar sickness.

On the front end of a season-high seven-game trip, the stomach flu is making its way through the team, affecting Hinrich, Salmons, some behind-the-scenes personnel and, to a lesser extent, Luol Deng.

"It's just bad timing," coach Vinny Del Negro said.

Hinrich at least returned to practice on the campus of USC Tuesday and vowed to play Wednesday night against the Clippers.

"I'm a little fatigued and about 10 pounds lighter on my feet," Hinrich said. "But I'm ready to go for as long as they need me."

Del Negro said Salmons was scheduled to travel with assistant athletic trainer Jeff Tanaka and arrive in Los Angeles either late Tuesday or Wednesday. A determination on his availability will be made Wednesday, although it doesn't sound good.

"John had a fever and got sick after the game," Del Negro said. "He has been feeling nauseous for about a week now, going in and out of it. We're being cautious and trying not to let it go through the whole team.

"We can't afford anybody to be down. We've had players down before and we didn't fare real well. We need everybody and all the versatility and energy we can muster to have opportunities on this tough trip.""