Horry’s Heartbeat Normal

Forward Robert Horry, monitored overnight after an irregular heartbeat was detected Sunday, was discharged Monday afternoon from Centinela Hospital Medical Center when tests revealed normal conditions.

The team said that Horry’s heartbeat was no longer irregular. He will wear a monitor on his chest for a day--including this morning’s shoot-around--and if conditions remain normal, he may play in tonight’s game.

Doctors said there were several possible explanations for his irregular heartbeat but did not want to speculate on the specific cause, the team said.

“We were talking about it before we started,” point guard Derek Fisher said after practice Monday. “Everybody just wanted to know what his situation was.

“It didn’t really scare anybody or put anybody in a position where they were afraid to go out and play themselves. We just wanted to know if he was OK, that’s all.”

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Forward Rick Fox, who missed the first three games because of foot problems, missed practice, suffering from an upper respiratory infection. Previously, Travis Knight had missed two games because of flu and Horry also had a respiratory infection.

Coach Del Harris said he wasn’t sure if Fox would be able to play tonight.

“I don’t envy Coach Harris’ position, trying to figure out what his next lineup’s going to be,” Fisher said.

Shaquille O’Neal did not practice, but worked on the sideline in a continuation of his rehabilitation from a groin-muscle injury. O’Neal, who struggled through an abdominal-muscle pull last season, said he knows he will have to be careful for the rest of his career.

“It’s never going to go away,” he said. “I’m going to have this problem for the rest of my life.”

TONIGHT

vs. Charlotte, 7:30

Fox Sports West

* Site--Great Western Forum.

* Radio--KLAC (570).

* Records--Lakers 3-3; Hornets 1-4.

* Record vs. Hornets--(1997-98) 1-1.

* Update--Shaquille O’Neal, saying the Lakers need to sweep their next three home games--Dallas and San Antonio are in after Charlotte--made it clear that the team’s start has not been as expected. “Right now, I’m kind of embarrassed,” O’Neal said. “I’m [angry]. I’ve been playing this game a long time and I’ve never come out 3-3. I’m just very embarrassed.”

* Tickets--Forum box office or TicketMaster (213) 480-3232.