MRI Tests for Horry, Walker Today

Power forwards Robert Horry and Samaki Walker are scheduled for MRI exams today. Horry has a sore left foot and Walker has been on the injured list for a week because of a strained lower back.

An X-ray of Horry’s foot Sunday night was negative. Horry continues to have pain, however, and did not dress for the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He did not play Friday in Memphis, either.

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Walker was so bothered by Kobe Bryant’s comments about his back injury that he spoke to Coach Phil Jackson about it, Jackson revealed Sunday.

While Jackson insisted the team was not disrupted, he added, “There’s times for criticism and times for perhaps encouragement.

“I’ve just learned over the past that when a player says he’s injured, he’s injured.”

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The Lakers activated Devean George from the injured list for Sunday night’s game.

George, the athletic small forward who averaged 11.7 points in the team’s first seven games, developed tendinitis in his right ankle and hadn’t played since Nov. 8 in Washington.

Guard Jannero Pargo, who averaged 9.1 minutes in 14 games, was put on the injured list. He has tendinitis in his right knee, according to the team.

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A ceremony that will rename as Chick Hearn Court the stretch of 11th Street in front of Staples Center between Figueroa and Cherry streets will be held Tuesday at 1 p.m.

The public is invited to the corner of Georgia and 11th streets for the function, which will include the unveiling of a street sign. Marge Hearn, Mayor Jim Hahn and several former and current Lakers are expected to attend.

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Derek Fisher, in a Yogi Berra moment: “It’s an uphill battle. When you’re trying to remain at the top, it always is.”

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Shaquille O’Neal said he experienced no unusual pain after playing 43 minutes in the overtime win at Memphis, by seven minutes the longest he’d played on his surgically repaired foot.

“I’m good,” he said. “I’m just trying to get into WWF shape. Guys are wrestling me.”