Fisher, Madsen Near Returns

A spirited game of three-on-three after Tuesday’s practice featured Derek Fisher and Mark Madsen, players the Lakers could have on the court in the next week or two.

Fisher is scheduled to have a bone scan Monday, and with a favorable finding would be cleared to play soon, perhaps by the Nov. 23 game against Golden State.

Madsen, who had wrist surgery in the summer and then suffered a muscle strain in his left side, has improved. He also could be nearing activation from the injured list.

Madsen’s return will provide muscle and depth at power forward, where Coach Phil Jackson patches together Samaki Walker, Robert Horry and Slava Medvedenko for 48 minutes most games.

The difficult decision comes at point guard, where Lindsey Hunter has played well and Fisher only pushed the Lakers to last season’s NBA title. Jackson claimed he hasn’t considered the possibilities.

Given Jackson’s preference for taller guards and his regard for Rick Fox, it seems unlikely he would start Fisher and Hunter next to each other and Kobe Bryant at small forward.

Bryant, among others, is eager to see what a Hunter-Fisher backcourt might accomplish defensively.

It is more likely that Jackson would bring along Fisher more gradually than last season, when Fisher played 37 and 36 minutes in his first two games back from similar foot surgery.

Meantime, all Hunter has done is average 12.2 points, shoot 44.4 % from the arc, and hound every opposing point guard.

“I’m not even worried about things like that,” Hunter said. “I want to help in any way I can. I’m just glad to be a part of this.

“With Derek back, we can only be stronger in the guard corps.”

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Center Shaquille O’Neal was excused from Tuesday’s practice so he could attend the birth of his child.

The Lakers did not practice Monday, giving O’Neal and his aching feet about 60 hours of rest between Sunday night’s game and today’s practice.

“It might be OK,” Jackson said. “It might work out well for him to stay off his feet and take care of the things he has to take care of.”

Jackson said the Lakers, whose 106.3 points per game lead the league, are a better offensive team than he anticipated.

Even with O’Neal shooting 51.6% from the floor--his career average is 57.7%--the Lakers are shooting 48.8% as a team, including 34.1% from the three-point arc.

Bryant has improved dramatically, shooting 52.3% from the field.

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Bryant, on the nose that he thought might be broken, but wasn’t: “I’m cool. It’s straight.”