Bryant to Become a Starter Soon

Maybe not tonight against Washington, but possibly by Wednesday’s game in Sacramento or Saturday’s in Vancouver, Kobe Bryant will get back into the Laker starting lineup, Coach Phil Jackson said Monday.

“I think it’s reasonable to tell you that probably within the week, he’ll probably start,” Jackson said after practice at L.A. Southwest College.

Bryant, averaging 30 minutes and 19 points in the three games since his return from a broken hand, says he’s anxious to be a starter again.

“I’m eager to get back into the flow of things,” he said. “I’ve been pestering [Jackson] really, really hard . . . trying to learn the team, trying to get back as fast as I possibly can.”

Jackson says he has been impressed with the jolt Bryant has brought off the bench--calling it “a quick hit” for the team.

“I like that energy, I like that unbounded sense of optimism he brings to his game,” Jackson said. “The possibility that he carries the threat of scoring but not actually [trying] to score each time he touches the ball.”

Bryant said he can provide instant adrenaline as a starter just as well, maybe better.

“I’ll bring energy from the top of the 48 minutes, it doesn’t matter,” he said.

*

Rick Fox won’t miss any time, but will have to wear a finger splint on his left--non-shooting--hand for six weeks after tearing a tendon during Sunday’s game. Will it affect his play?

“It can’t get any worse than it’s been,” Fox said, referring to his long shooting slump. “Maybe it’ll help.”

Tonight

vs. Washington

7:30, Fox Sports Net

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KLAC (570).

* Records--Lakers, 14-4; Wizards, 5-14.

* Record vs. Wizards (1999 season)--Did not play.

* Update--In Washington’s newest crisis season, veteran backcourt stars Mitch Richmond and Rod Strickland both are shooting under 40% for the season, and Juwan Howard, making $15 million this season, is averaging fewer than 14 points and five rebounds.

* Tickets--(213) 480-3232.