Divac’s Right Knee Merely Bruised; He’s Questionable for Seattle Game

Vlade Divac, rookie center for the Lakers who was injured during Sunday night’s loss to the Utah Jazz, has merely a bruised right knee, the Lakers said Monday.

Divac was kicked on the inside of his right knee by Utah’s Karl Malone. He had to be helped off the court and did not return to the game.

A Laker spokesman quoted Stephen Lombardo, team physician, as saying that Divac was in less pain than he was Sunday night, when he hopped to the locker room on his left leg.

The Lakers said Divac will be allowed to resume light practicing today. Divac is questionable, as is starting center Mychal Thompson (sprained left ankle), for the Lakers’ game at Seattle Wednesday night.