Walton may sit out one more

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Man down, again.

Forward Luke Walton sat out Thursday’s game against Detroit because of a right hip pointer and could miss tonight’s game against Toronto.

Walton was injured after colliding with an unidentified player while going for an offensive rebound Tuesday against New York.

“I thought I was going to be able to run it off, but every time I made a move, it got worse and worse,” he said. “Even sneezing, laughing, those things hurt.”

Vladimir Radmanovic scored seven points in place of Walton, who wasn’t the only member of the Lakers in street clothes on the bench.

Chris Mihm is traveling with the team for its nine-game trip but was not expected to play until later in the month.

“We’re projecting post-All Star [break],” Coach Phil Jackson said. “He’s along on this trip to do a lot of work.”

DJ Mbenga didn’t suit up against Detroit because the Lakers had not signed him to a second 10-day contract . . . yet.

Mbenga’s first 10-day contract expired Thursday, but the Lakers are waiting until later in the trip to sign him to another 10-day deal, basically deciding to have him with the team closer to the end of the trip instead of the beginning.

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If nothing else, at least the Lakers had a chance to get in some good reading before their game against Detroit.

Jackson handed out a book of individual significance to each player, something he does annually before a long trip. Unlike recent years, though, Jackson was secretive when asked which book he gave to each player.

Some of the Lakers willingly volunteered what books they received, although Kwame Brown declined to comment and Kobe Bryant said he couldn’t remember.

“What book did he give me? I don’t know,” Bryant said. “That’s on the back burner for me. I’m still reading my ‘Harry Potter’ series from first to seven. It kind of gets pushed to the back. ‘Chamber of Secrets’ comes first.”

Lamar Odom was given “Cinnamon Kiss,” Derek Fisher got “The Wedding,” and Walton received “We Were Soldiers Once . . . and Young.”

Jordan Farmar was given a book called “Shortcomings.”

Said Jackson: “This is the first time that I’d ever given out a graphic novel.”

Jackson gave a familiar title to undrafted rookie Coby Karl: “Sacred Hoops,” a book Jackson wrote.

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Bryant, on his career-high 11 turnovers Thursday:

“I’ve just got to make smarter decisions with the basketball. I tried to shovel the pass into my post guys, tried to get them going a little bit.

“I think I’ve got to do a better job spacing the floor out so they see those passes coming and it makes it a little easier for them to catch.”

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Jackson said he hoped for at least a 5-4 record on the trip. “I think any time you’re over .500 on the road, you have to be happy with it,” he said. . . . Farmar, on being selected to play in the rookie-sophomore game Feb. 15, part of All-Star weekend in New Orleans: “It’s good to be recognized as one of the best second-year players in the league. The best part about that is the coaches picked it. It’s not a fan vote, a popularity contest.”

TONIGHT

at Toronto, 4 PST, (Ch. 9, 5:30)

Site -- Air Canada Centre.

Radio -- 570; 1330.

Records -- Lakers 28-16; Raptors 25-20.

Record vs. Raptors (2006-07) -- 1-1.

Update -- Forward Chris Bosh continues to put up good numbers (22.7 points, 9.1 rebounds a game) and point guard Jose Calderon is averaging 12.3 points and 8.8 assists while shooting 52.1% from the field for the Raptors.

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mike.bresnahan@latimes.com