Michael Olowokandi's availability for the Los Angeles Clippers' season opener could be jeopardized after the team told him Sunday to take at least two more weeks off before testing his sore left knee.

	Olowokandi

The Clippers open the season Oct. 30 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"I'm very hopeful I'll be there for the first game," Olowokandi told the Los Angeles Times before the Clippers' 106-96 preseason victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday night.

"I've lost a half an inch of muscle (in his leg). ... I'm confident it's something I can work with. It's better to treat it before the season starts rather than during the 82-game schedule."

According to the Times, Olowokandi said he injured his knee while working out during the offseason.

"That's all I did," he said. "I prepared for this season. I hardly took any time off. ... I felt a little discomfort. Once training camp started, I thought I could fight it off."

The pain became too much to ignore, however. An MRI exam indicated Olowokandi was suffering from bruised cartilage. He has been resting the knee and taking anti-inflammatory drugs, the newspaper reported.

Olowokandi, power forward Elton Brand, top reserve Quentin Richardson, backup point guard Keyon Dooling, small forward Lamar Odom and first-round draft picks Melvin Ely and Chris Wilcox could not play against the Grizzlies.

Brand's status for the opener is uncertain after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Sept. 26. Richardson has a sprained right knee. Dooling and Odom have sprained ankles. Ely has tendinitis in his left big toe and Wilcox a strained right quadriceps.