EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- The season opener is less than two weeks away, and the
Los Angeles Lakers' injury problems are getting worse.
Brian Cook and Aaron McKie were the latest Lakers to be injured, and it's
possible neither will play in Thursday night's exhibition game against the Los
Angeles Clippers at Staples Center.
Cook was hurt during warmups before Tuesday night's 96-91 loss to Sacramento
in Las Vegas, sustaining a mild sprain of his left ankle. He played anyway,
getting 12 points and nine rebounds, but is listed as questionable for Thursday
night's game.
McKie left with back spasms in the opening 90 seconds of Tuesday night's
game, and saw a back specialist Wednesday. He was ruled out of the game against
the Clippers.
"It certainly puts a damper on things," Lakers assistant coach Kurt Rambis
said after practice Wednesday. "We obviously want everybody back healthy. We
want everybody to have as many days as possible, as many games as possible to
develop togetherness."
Rambis is filling in for coach Phil Jackson, who had hip replacement surgery
Oct. 3. Jackson is expected to be on the bench Oct. 31 when the Lakers open the
season against Phoenix.
Kobe Bryant (offseason knee surgery) and Chris Mihm (offseason ankle surgery)
haven't played in the exhibition season.
Kwame Brown (sprained right shoulder), Shammond Williams (abdominal muscle
strain) and Von Wafer (bruised left heel) are also hurting, and probably won't
play against the Clippers.
Vladimir Radmanovic has played despite a sprained right hand and Lamar Odom
despite a bruised right shin. Sasha Vujacic missed two games because of a
strained muscle in his left foot before playing Tuesday night. All three are
expected to play against the Clippers.
"Guys have to step up and play," Rambis said. "They have to cover the holes
that we have in our roster right now. It also gives guys an opportunity to show
us what they can do so it can educate us to about what their capabilities are.
So it's an opportunity for players.
"But realistically, if we don't get everybody back, it does put a little bit
of a hole in our growth process."
Bryant said he did what he called more "explosive movements" at practice
Wednesday, but isn't ready to go quite yet. He has said repeatedly that he
should be ready when the regular season starts, but would like to play in at
least one exhibition game.
"I would love to have one, definitely, just to kind of get the kinks out a
little bit, get a game under your belt," he said. "That would help tremendously.
Hopefully, I'll have one."
Brown said if he doesn't play against the Clippers, he hopes to play Friday
night when the Lakers face either New Orleans or Golden State, who meet in the
opener of Thursday night's doubleheader. Mihm said that while he's been making
progress, he's not ready to play yet.
