Bryant Remains Active Despite Injuries

The Lakers got down to the NBA’s 12-man limit Thursday by putting forwards Jerome Kersey, who has a broken left foot, and Trevor Wilson, who has tendinitis in his left knee, on the injured list. They will be out at least five games.

Now to figure out what to do with Kobe Bryant.

Out since Oct. 19 because of a strained hip muscle--and 20 of a possible 26 days of training camp because of that and a broken wrist--the rookie swingman was also being considered for a spot on the injured list. At the least, he was expected to miss the first two games, tonight and Sunday, and hoped to make his debut during the three-game Eastern swing that starts Tuesday.

But Thursday, he practiced so well that Coach Del Harris, impressed to the point of superlatives, said that Bryant might play tonight against the Phoenix Suns at the Forum. It’s still highly unlikely, and Sunday against the Minnesota Timberwolves is only slightly better, but at least it’s a possibility.

“He was surprisingly good,” Harris said. “He was amazing. Taking all the factors into account--missing two weeks, the injury, being 18 years old--you’d think there was no chance he could go out and do anything at all other than embarrass himself. Yet the reality was, he did well. It was an amazing performance.”

Amazing enough to alter the original plan to keep Bryant on the bench the first two games?

“Let’s see how he feels [today], first of all,” Harris said. “It’s possible he could get a few minutes. Game conditions could dictate that.

“I’m not going to stick him out there. If it’s an easy opportunity, that’s one thing. But if the game’s on the line, I’m going to go with the guys who have been playing, even though he did play well today.”