Ailing Bryant Stays at Home Because of Viral Infection

Wracked by a viral infection, Kobe Bryant stayed home Sunday night when the Lakers played the Seattle SuperSonics at Staples Center.

Bryant’s illness--symptoms included abdominal cramping, chills, fever and exhaustion--further thinned a Laker backcourt already down three guards.

Laker officials did not know if Bryant would practice today or play Tuesday night against the Boston Celtics. He sat out Saturday’s practice and Sunday’s shoot-around before calling in sick Sunday night. Bryant, whose 29.6-point scoring average is second in the league, was so ill after Friday night’s game that he required intravenous replenishment, after scoring 38 points in 44 minutes.

“He’s got tremendous will and stamina,” Laker Coach Phil Jackson said. “I’ve never seen him break down like this before.

“I think a lot of it had to do with trying to play under duress, playing in situations where he might have taken a day off.”

In Bryant’s absence, the Lakers lacked scoring punch and minutes.

J.R. Rider served the third game of a five-game suspension for not complying with the league’s drug after-care program. Ron Harper and Derek Fisher are on injured reserve.

Tyronn Lue made the first start of his career. It came beside Brian Shaw, who started the last 10 games in place of Harper.

Harper, who has a bruised right knee, has at least another week on the injured list. Fisher, who suffered a stress fracture in his right foot and hasn’t played since last spring, is expected to be activated any day.

The Laker guard rotation was Shaw, Lue, Mike Penberthy and, occasionally, Devean George.

Bryant’s season has been fractured by injury and illness. He sat out three games the last week in February because of a sprained right ankle. He played through injuries to the other ankle, along with his hip, shoulder and knee.

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Already without Rider and Bryant, the Lakers lost Robert Horry in the second quarter when the versatile forward was assessed two technical fouls.

Referee Terry Durham got him for both technicals, the first when Horry threw an elbow at Seattle’s Brent Barry as the two fought for the ball.

While Barry shot the technical free throw, Horry and Durham stood beneath the opposite basket. Horry leaned over and said something to Durham, who then ejected Horry.

The ejection left the Lakers with nine available players, then eight when Shaquille O’Neal fouled out.

“Rob didn’t play the game right, especially with us down people,” Jackson said.

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Lue, who played 32 minutes Friday against San Antonio and 30 against Seattle, sprained his left ankle in the fourth quarter Sunday night. X-rays were negative. And while Lue said it would not hinder him, he limped around the locker room.

With Fisher due to be activated any day, Lue could go to the injured list.