Bryant Might Return Today

The chances of Kobe Bryant playing today against the New York Knicks are on the rise.

“I’d say it’s 75-25 he’ll play,” Laker Coach Phil Jackson said after practice Saturday.

“He did some things to see if he could get his legs underneath him. He was getting some lift. He’ll have more therapy and we’ll see if he is OK at game time.”

Bryant has sat out five consecutive games because of a strained left ankle.

Jackson said Bryant told him Friday night, after another therapy session, that he wanted to play against the Knicks.

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Today’s game will be Glen Rice’s first against the Lakers at Staples Center since being traded to the Knicks in September.

“We know he’ll be up for the game,” Jackson said.

Rice, averaging 12.1 points a game, scored 10 points in 25 minutes in the Knicks’ 96-79 loss at Portland on Friday night. He had only two points in 20 minutes in an embarrassing 89-68 loss at Vancouver on Thursday night.

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The Lakers offered to honor Rice and Travis Knight for their parts in last season’s championship with a brief pregame ceremony before today’s game. They passed.

“I told them no,” Rice said. “Why? If they’re going to boo me, I’m not going to go on center stage and let them. I’m not going to give them that opportunity.”

TONIGHT

vs. New York

2:30, Channel 4

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KLAC (570).

* Records--Lakers 48-25, Knicks 42-30.

* Record vs. Knicks--0-1.

* Update--The Lakers, playing without Shaquille O’Neal because of a foot injury, lost to the Knicks, 91-81, at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 28. “Our incentive will be to make up for that poor showing on Super Bowl Sunday,” Jackson said. Allan Houston is New York’s leading scorer, averaging 19 points. Latrell Sprewell averages 17.7.

* Tickets--Sold out.